Social Democrats: Preaching Purity, Practising Privilege

Social Democrats: Preaching Purity, Practising Privilege

The Social Democrats present themselves to the public as paragons of virtue—clean hands, clean politics, and unwavering moral clarity. They posture as the conscience of the Dáil, forever pointing fingers at others. But when it comes to their own house, it seems the rules don’t apply. The facts now emerging reveal a party up to its neck in hypocrisy, opportunism, and quiet self-enrichment.

Let us deal in hard evidence.

In December 2024, Deputy Eoin Hayes publicly confirmed he would sit as an independent TD after being suspended by the Social Democrats. Yet, the party brazenly continued to claim Parliamentary Activities Allowance (PAA) funding for him right through the first half of 2025—until his suspension was only lifted in late July. That is seven months of knowingly claiming taxpayer money for a TD who was not part of their parliamentary team.

The total PAA claimed by the Social Democrats between January and June 2025 amounted to €424,696.10. This includes funds secured based on a misrepresentation of their actual Dáil strength—a blatant abuse of the spirit, if not the letter, of the law.

Where was their moral compass then? Where were their so-called standards of accountability? Where was the sermon on the steps of Leinster House decrying misuse of public funds?

Now let us turn to their party leader, Deputy Holly Cairns.

In December 2024, Deputy Cairns received €4,478.75 in travel and accommodation allowances—despite being on maternity leave and not travelling to Dublin. That money was not flagged by the party. It was not questioned. It was not returned until it became a public embarrassment. Only after scrutiny did the funds go back. Only then did the payments stop.

The silence from the Social Democrats in both these cases is deafening. No apology. No explanation. No accountability. Just quiet financial benefit—followed by spin.

The hypocrisy is staggering. These are the same people who climb to their feet in the Dáil to condemn others for perceived misuse of resources, who feign outrage at every opportunity, who treat every political disagreement as a moral failing. And yet, when the opportunity arose to enrich themselves on the sly, they took it.

Let us call this what it is: a party that talks social justice by day and collects public money by night.

They are not the watchdogs of Irish politics—they are the insiders who want you to believe they’re on the outside. They are not reformers—they are operators, exploiting the very system they pretend to challenge.

The Social Democrats have forfeited the right to lecture the rest of us. They have proven themselves no different to the political machines they claim to stand against—except perhaps in the level of self-righteousness with which they carry it out.

In light of these revelations, I will be tabling the following Parliamentary Questions:

 • To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure to outline how PAA claims are verified, and what penalties apply for false or misleading submissions.

 • To ask the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission to confirm when the Social Democrats declared Deputy Hayes as no longer a member of their grouping—and whether the continued claims in his name constitute an actionable breach of procedure.

 • To ask whether any other instances have occurred where PSA or PAA funds were claimed during periods when TDs were not fulfilling their parliamentary duties, including maternity or medical leave.

Let this be a warning to the electorate: behind the polished speeches and social media graphics lies a party that cannot be trusted with public money—or with the public’s trust. A party that demands transparency of others but flinches from it themselves. A party that seeks to control the political narrative while dodging the political consequences of their own actions.

The Social Democrats are not above reproach—they are beneath the standards they preach.

The public deserves better. And they deserve the truth.