Labour Finance spokesperson, Joan Burton TD,  has called on the Government to ensure the newly announced auto-enrolment pension scheme remains in State control. Deputy Burton raised concern that privatising the scheme would lead to significantly high charges and costs for workers. Deputy Burton continued:  “At long last the Minister has published proposals for a supplementary…

Reacting to the announcement today that the Government has approved the purchase of 41 extra rail carriages, Labour Transport spokesperson Kevin Humphreys highlighted the 50% increase in cost, and the unexplained delay in ordering the much needed trains. Senator Kevin Humphreys said: “Commuters will be thankful that the Minister has finally greenlighted the long delayed…

Labour Cork City Cllr John Maher has criticised comments by a Fine Gael Councillor against a social housing development in Montenotte as stereotypical of a party out of touch with the reality on the ground where their party has ignored the needs of Cork North Central. Cllr Maher said:“We have a housing list that is…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has pressed the Minister for Health to deliver on payments for patient advocates. Deputy Kelly said: “Minister Harris must make good on his promise to patient advocates for their time and expertise. “We can’t continue to expect people who have been through the ringer wither through a personal…

Labour Party by-election candidate for Fingal, Councillor Duncan Smith, has called for meaningful engagement in the SK Biotek dispute. Councillor Smith said: “This morning I visited the SK Biotek picket line on Watery Lane in Swords to meet these Biotek workers who are currently engaging in industrial action. I listened to their concerns and reasons…

Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan TD has called on the Minister to admit that the removal of planning functions from Councils to An Bord Pleanála for strategic housing developments of 100 units or more has failed to deliver, and instead of extending these rules that they should now be scrapped. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The rules…

Reacting to the likely general election in the UK, the leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, said that Leo Varadkar will feel that this gives him the opportunity to seek a general election in Ireland too. If he does, he will want to avoid scrutiny of his government’s failures. Brendan said: “Leo Varadkar…

Labour Party TD for Limerick City, Jan O’Sullivan has said only providing free contraception to young women aged 17-24 is the wrong approach. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “I welcome that a report has finally been produced outlining pathways to providing free contraception in Ireland. However, it is not acceptable that only a certain cohort – women…