Comrades, I am delighted to be here. And it’s great to see so many friends. Congratulations to the National Youth Executive – and Conal O’Boyle and Aideen Blackwood, in particular – for putting together an interesting and stimulating programme. “Re-imagine Belfast”. So far, you have re-imagined how we honour the legacy of civil rights activists…

Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today said that the removal of all in-patient hospital changes must be included in Budget 2023. Speaking on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, Deputy Smith said:   “Any measures that will reduce the cost of healthcare is to be broadly welcomed. However, we believe the abolition of in-patient charges…

Labour to publish bill ensuring greater representation of women’s voices on the radio Responding to the publication today of the Gender Disparity Report on music content on Irish airwaves, Labour Party Arts and Media spokesperson Marie Sherlock paid tribute to the work the Why Not Her campaign. Next week, the Labour Party will publish a…

Children must be given every chance at success Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríodáin has called on government to provide a commitment to working families before the summer recess that significant back to school measures will be implemented to ease the burden on parents. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said if government has a true understanding of…

Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash has demanded that government commit to bringing forward a budget to this summer in recognition of the real financial crisis many families are facing right now. Deputy Nash said families have been left behind and let down by the government and need serious intervention before the back to school costs…

Labour employment spokesperson and member of the Joint Committee on Enterprise Trade and Employment Marie Sherlock has said government must enact the recommendations made by the Committee on working from home without delay. Following cross party support for a legislative right to disconnect, as well as modernising key aspects of employment law to take account…

Labour Autism Bill seeks to address unmet needs of people with autism in our communities Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said Government must take action on behalf of the children and families currently being failed by the State. Following a debate on Labour’s Autism Bill, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said without a coherent framework in…

Labour employment spokesperson, Marie Sherlock has questioned the commitment of the Government to re-start public sector pay talks after two weeks of deafening silence following the breakdown of negotiations between unions and public sector employers.   Senator Sherlock said: “Almost two weeks on from the collapse of talks and in the week where thousands of…