It was a hard-fought campaign but we had great results – I am so delighted that we have returned 56 Councillors and a Member of the European Parliament for Dublin – the first Labour MEP we have elected into the Socialists and Democrats group in 15 years, a really fantastic achievement.   

I am determined that our Party will now continue to deliver on the strong mandate that we have been given. Our Labour leader on Dublin City Council and recently selected General Election candidate for Dublin South-Central, Councillor Darragh Moriarty, along with his Labour colleagues, has already shown a really principled approach in refusing to cut funding for our local services and infrastructure. Our wonderful new MEP, Aodhán  Ó Ríordáin, has already made a really significant impact at European level, having gained a place on the Employment Committee and achieved new actions on Housing. Since his election, Aodhán has  consistently made his top priority clear – housing, housing, housing. The right to housing is the civil rights issue of this generation. We are not the only country in Europe facing a housing crisis, and we socialists know that it is a European problem which needs a European solution. Aodhán is already pushing for a European Housing Plan and has gained real support in his campaign for a European Commissioner for Housing. 

Alongside the housing crisis, our country has faced many challenges in recent months, from the recent violent incidents that we saw in Coolock to the increase in reporting of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Our parliamentary team has been working hard to rise to these challenges. Just a few weeks ago, we passed a Labour motion in the Dáil on tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. The motion, inspired by the great courage of Natasha O’Brien, called for action on supporting and protecting victims and reforming sentencing, and it received cross-party support.  

We are also working on a range of international issues – particularly pushing for solidarity with the people of Ukraine as they endure Russia’s brutal war; and solidarity with the people of Gaza, under continued genocidal bombardment by Israel. 

Back at home, a General Election is now looming, and we are expecting the Taoiseach to call it before the end of the year. We are already organising a fantastic line-up of candidates – we have selected Marie Sherlock in Dublin Central, Ged Nash in Louth, Duncan Smith in Fingal East and many more already. We will all need your help in this campaign, whether that is in putting up posters, dropping leaflets or knocking on doors. 

We need you – please continue to get involved! 

It was wonderful to join so many of you on canvasses during the Local and European election campaign – and the work for the general election starts now. If you haven’t made it to a canvass yet, I would really encourage you to do so. We are a campaigning Party and canvasses are the best way to connect with your community and with other Labour members. 

Enjoy the break and I look forward to meeting you soon on the General Election campaign trail. 

  

In Solidarity, 

  

Ivana