Alan Kelly has today written to Ms. Isolde Goggin, Chairperson of the Competition & Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) calling on her to open an investigation into the Irish Property Owners Association (IPOA) following the IPOAs highly publicised threats to have landlords impose a range of levies, charges and other measures. “It is my view, having…

Today’s report by the Irish Independent that over 4,000 Bank of Ireland customers have been paying too much interest on their tracker mortgages further highlights the need for the authorities to take a harder line with financial institutions. “Banks have cheated thousands of customers out of their tracker mortgages, while I welcome the fact that…

Labour Women has today made its submission to the Citizens’ Assembly on the need to repeal the Eighth Amendment, and is urging others to do so in the final hours before the deadline today. Chair of Labour Women Sinead Ahern commented: ‘Today Labour Women made its submission on the importance of repealing the Eighth Amendment…

Today Senator Ivana Bacik renewed her call made at last night’s Women for Election event in the Royal Irish Academy, urging those present to make submission to the Citizens’ Assembly on the need to repeal the Eighth Amendment. Senator Bacik said: “This week, I made my own personal submission to the Citizens’ Assembly on the…

Speaking during his Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill this evening, Willie Penrose has criticised Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for not supporting the Bill. “This proposed Bill, which is supported by Irish musicians across the country has one simple request – to insert a new section 65A in the Broadcasting Act 2009 to ensure that when an…

Speaking on a Topical Issue Debate on the shortage in substitute teachers, Labour Party spokesperson on Education Joan Burton TD said: “According to figures from the INTO this morning, there were only 36 substitute teachers available on their Subsearch facility today nationally. That compares to an average daily total of 400 in previous years. Today’s…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has expressed disappointment that the Government has still not provided the promised free school transport to children of homeless families living in emergency accommodation. Deputy O’Sullivan raised the matter with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, in the Dáil this afternoon. “Back…

Statement on pre European Council Meeting of 15th December 2016 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY   Taoiseach, In advance of the European Council, I have a small number of concrete proposals that I hope you will take on board. The first couple relate to Brexit. Last night, my party held a Brexit forum, and I must say…