Dear Labour Member,
As we re-launch our members e-newsletter this weekend and mark the 110th anniversary of the founding of our Party, I write to provide you with an update on some of our recent campaigns and activities. As you will have seen, our Labour TDs, Senators, Councillors and members have been busy over recent weeks and months all across the country on our different campaigns.
In recent weeks, along with other parliamentary Labour colleagues, I canvassed in Belfast in advance of the NI Assembly elections. More recently, I travelled to Cork, Waterford and Limerick to meet with local Labour members, Councillors and area representatives and to engage with community activists as well as contributing to local media, and participating in different local events.’
A particular highlight was the naming of a plaza in Waterford City after my grandfather Charles Bacik, to honour his role in re-establishing Waterford Crystal in the city in 1946. I was also delighted to visit an inspiring biodiversity farming project near Mallow, an innovative support service for children with autism in Cork city, and wonderful childcare and early years education centres in Limerick.
Overall, it has been a real pleasure to see so much work being done around the country by our great representatives and members. Over the coming weeks and months, I look forward to travelling to Mullingar, Portlaoise and Kilkenny, along with other constituencies both in and outside of Dublin to meet with activists and members there.
At the Party’s annual James Connolly Commemoration at Arbour Hill on Sunday 15 May, I was honoured to speak and to set out the importance of Labour’s values, 110 years after our great Party was founded.
Over recent weeks, in the huge national controversy over the government decision on the new National Maternity Hospital, I have led for Labour in expressing our strong view that the hospital should be a secular and public hospital, built on public land. At this link, you will see a recent Dáil contribution of mine on the matter, and indeed I spoke on this during several Dail debates on the topic; I also attended the protest about the NMH decision on 14 May along with a significant Labour contingent, and made numerous contributions in the media on the topic over recent weeks (including RTE PrimeTime and Morning Ireland).
We have also have posted each Labour member a pin of the starry plough and a selection of some great Labour campaign posters from throughout our 110 year history. Please share a photo of your postcard selection on social media. Every member has received 3 from a selection of 9 – which ones did you get?
Finally, you will have seen our ongoing campaign stating that Ireland Needs a Pay Rise. We in Labour believe that the best way to ease the burden on people is to put money back in their pockets – further details on this campaign below.
You will find more updates, news and information in our new e-newsletter. I hope you enjoy it, and look forward to keeping in contact with you over coming months as we continue our campaigning work together for a fairer, more equal Ireland. I look forward to working with you!
Best wishes,
Ivana Bacik TD
Party Leader