Holly Cairns has responded to the Eoin Hayes controversy

Last night, Hayes issued an apology after an Irish newspaper obtained photos of him wearing blackface.

Hayes explained that he dressed up as Barack Obama for a Halloween party in 2009. The politician admitted he didn't realise how hurtful his actions were at the time, and apologised profusely.

Holly Cairns explained that she learned about the incident through the media, and not from Mr. Hayes.

However, they have since had a brief conversation about it.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Cairns said: "I just want to be clear that blackface is a form of racism," said the leader of the Social Democrats

"In the Social Democrats, we abhor all kinds of racism. So, I'm glad that Deputy Hayes has acknowledged that and taken full responsibility for it.

"He said that he didn't understand how objectionable and hurtful it was at the time, but that he should have known better."

Cairns explained that if this incident had happened more recently, then Hayes would not be a Social Democrats TD.

"The fact that this happened 16 years ago is a very different situation, and like Eoin said himself, it is indefensible, it is wrong," she explained.

"He didn't understand how wrong it was at the time, and he knows that he should have known better and has issued that unreserved apology."

The Social Democrats leader confirmed that Hayes will not attend today's think-in following the incident.

"The parliamentary party meeting hasn’t met, so it does require a bit more to think about as a party."

Today marks Cairn's first day back as leader of the Social Democrats after her maternity leave.

“I’m hugely disappointed and annoyed about this situation on my first day back. There are so many issues that we would prefer to be focusing on instead.”

Cairns stressed that there is no  “question mark” over Eoin Hayes continuing in the Social Democrats.