Message from Party Leader - Edition 4 2025 - The Labour Party

As we face these challenges, it is now more important than ever for the Labour Party have our voice heard here in Ireland — to make this Government answerable for both its decisions and inactions. That is not to sit and criticise and shout from the sidelines – but to offer solutions. Policies that offer the potential to bring real, tangible change to communities across Ireland.
A key priority for us is to protect Irish workers’ and jobs from the potential shocks to our economy resulting from Trump’s foolish tariff proposals. Recently, Ged Nash TD has led on highlighting our longstanding Labour plan, the ‘Obairghearr’ scheme– a short-term wage subsidy initiative which would allow businesses reduce the hours of workers without a hit to workers’ pay, keeping people in jobs, retaining skills, and protecting vulnerable sectors of the economy in what is likely to be a tumultuous period ahead. We in Labour believe the protection of workers and families must be at the fore to the Government’s response to this economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, the Government seeks to delay the roll-out of the living wage, undermining the integrity of the Low-Pay Commission, set up by Labour a decade ago.

Recently, I called on the Tánaiste to provide ongoing briefings to the Opposition on the impact of tariffs on the Irish economy and the economic planning put in place by Government, similar to the engagement between Government and Opposition seen during the Brexit process and the pandemic. I was glad to see the Tánaiste facilitate this suggestion with a recent briefing for us  – and I will continue to press for further engagement on an ongoing basis.
Our Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Duncan Smith TD, has been unwavering in his commitment for Ireland to use its voice to advocate for the Rule of Law, democracy and peace on the international stage. The shocking scenes surrounding the murder of 15 humanitarian workers and medics by the Israeli Defence Forces have reminded us all of the need to strengthen effective sanctions upon the Israeli state. We have persistently pressured the Government parties to stay true to their election promises and enact the Occupied Territories Bill. It is only a small step in holding Israel to account for the crimes against humanity it has been committing in Gaza for the last 18 months, but a powerful one, nonetheless. Recently, our Labour TDs and Senators met with UN Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Territories, Francesca Albanese, who told us that in light of Israel’s brutal bombardment and the forced starvation of the people of Gaza, enacting the Occupied Territories Bill is the least we can do in order to meet our obligations under international law.
In the Seanad, Senator Laura Harmon has hit the ground running with her first Bill aimed at the banning of ‘Sex for Rent’ and the  imposing of significant penalties on landlords who engage in this abusive and exploitative practice. The Bill has passed the second stage of the Seanad, and has been co-sponsored by the Green Party and the Social Democrats.
In the Dail, I re-launched my Redress Bill, which would provide a remedy for Government to address the legal obstructionist tactics so routinely deployed by religious orders to avoid having to pay redress to those who have endured abuse in institutions controlled by such orders. Further, I was delighted to welcome Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge and Chair of the Irish Labour Party Society in Britain, to Dublin in recent weeks. Liam is the author of ‘Philomena’s Law’ which would provide greater rights for Irish survivors of Mother and Baby Homes in the UK.
Outside life in Leinster House, I recently visited Cork City and County to meet with our fantastic Labour representatives and members in the Rebel County. With Eoghan Kenny TD, Senator Laura Harmon and our 5 City and County Councillors, Labour is the fastest growing party in Cork. It is an exciting time for the Labour Party as we continue to grow our presence across the country after a very successful year of elections in 2024.

Moreover, a Labour delegation of TDs and Senators attended meetings with our colleagues in the Party of European Socialists (PES) and S&D Group at the European Parliament in Brussels this week. We had fruitful discussions, including with S&D Group President Iratxe García Peréz on our shared progressive priorities and we discussed  further opportunities to collaborate on these.  We also met with Ambassador Aingeal O’Donoghue to discuss Ireland’s voice in the European response to Trump’s tariffs and the plans in preparation for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2026. A huge thanks is owed to Aodhán Ó’Riordáin MEP for facilitating our Labour delegation and for all his tireless work in Brussels. Aodhan has recently been appointed Lead Negotiator on Housing for the S&D Group – testament to his commitment to provide European solutions to our housing crisis and our own strong influence within the European Parliament’s second largest group.

As you can tell, the past month has been busy for us! We are looking forward to the resumption of the Dáil next week after the Easter recess, as we continue to prioritise the issues that matter to the communities that we represent in Leinster House.