Labour spokesperson on Social Protection Willie Penrose TD has called on Minister Leo Varadkar to ensure he isn’t distracted any further by his leadership ambitions and ensures that new mothers receive their maternity benefit. Deputy Penrose said: “The failure of the Minister for Social Protection to ensure that hundreds of new mothers can receive their…

Thank you, Ceann Comhairle. Mr. Barnier, You will appreciate that the Brexit negotiating mandate is about our vital national interests, and the vital interests of this island as a whole. We have many concerns. We are an island off an island off the European mainland. Inevitably, our geography must dictate our policies and priorities. The…

Labour TD for Dublin West, Deputy Joan Burton has said: “My thoughts and sympathies are with the residents of Verdemont Coolmine, Blanchardstown who suffered a disastrous fire at their apartments. “I want to salute Dublin fire brigade and all the emergency workers and the Fingal County Council staff who worked to put out the fire…

Labour Party Senator, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the passage of the Misuse of Drugs 2017 Bill, as an ‘historic day’ for drug policy in Ireland. Senator Ó Ríordáin first received Cabinet support for the legislation as Minister for State with Responsibility for Drugs, in December 2015. Senator Ó Ríordáin commented: “Today is an historic…

There is no attempt by the Labour Party to prevent the normalisation of the banking sector, as the Minister of State alleged. There is certainly no attempt to conflate two separate and discrete policy areas, namely, banking policy and capital investment constraints. The debt to GDP ratio is at a sustainable level and the general…

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed measures contained in the new Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, which reflects legislation proposed by Labour earlier this year, to ensure greater pension rights for LGBT couples. Labour’s Equal Pensions Bill was introduced to the Seanad by Senator Bacik, in March. Senator Bacik commented: “I thank Minister Varadkar for adopting…

Following further revelations on Primetime last night, Labour TD and Vice Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Alan Kelly has said it is now time for Fianna Fáil to act on the latest controversy. Deputy Kelly said: “Fianna Fáil has said if they were in Government they would have removed the Garda Commissioner. Their position…

My Party Leader Brendan Howlin has outlined the compelling reasons why we should postpone the sale of AIB shares until the fiscal rules are changed to allow us to use the capital that will accrue for infrastructural projects that will bring social and economic benefit. Our Party has secured the support of sister parties in…