Holly Cairns is seen as the frontrunner to take over from Social Democrats co-leaders Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy. The pair announced this week, somewhat unexpectedly, their plans to step down as party leaders.
Political Correspondent, Harry McGee, observes the potential contenders to succeed them come from the party’s younger generation of elected representatives.
‘When you go to a Social Democrats convention, you’re struck by how young its supporters are. When they were formed, they captured a moment and they attracted a lot of people with their policies, their direction and the kind of values the party espoused.... If Holly Cairns is elected, she would almost be the Social Democrat that comes out of central casting.’
Meanwhile the first Irish Times poll of 2023 is out. While Fine Gael and Sinn Fein will likely be reassured by it, Fianna Fáil has slipped slightly since Micheál Martin stepped down as Taoiseach. Political Editor, Pat Leahy, notes the large number of undecideds; which indicates there’s a significant cohort of voters to be won before the next election.
We thought we’d see an agreement on the Northern Ireland protocol this week but it appears the British PM has his work cut out for him in getting a deal past the backbenchers of his own party.
And it wasn’t a good week for Junior Housing Minister, Kieran O’Donnell. The Limerick TD forgot to oppose a People Before Profit bill in the Dáil, allowing it to pass to the next stage.
