Speech by Labour Finance Spokesperson Joan Burton on the 2016 Finance Bill. Key points include: Wealthy investors have been able to manipulate our tax laws. Corporate tax losses worth €1.24bn lost to Exchequer. Accumulated losses of €9 billion in financial sector. Minimum effective corporation tax rate required. Labour will oppose 6 month amnesty for offshore…

“I welcome the intervention of the Heritage Council in relation to vacant houses around the country. They are right to highlight the need to expand the Living City Initiative to include towns. I called for such an expansion in advance of the budget and for the scheme to be made more user-friendly. However, we need…

The Government needs to create more apprenticeship opportunities in the construction sector to cater for the expected surge in demand in the industry over the next four years. A new report by DKM economists has raised concerns about a possible lag in the availability of a skilled workforce, which it says is necessary for the…

Senator Ivana Bacik is today tabling a question for the Minister for Justice and Equality in the Seanad, seeking clarification on the incidence of cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ireland. Senator Bacik will put this question in the context of recent reports that an act of female genital mutilation (FGM) carried out upon…

Questioning the Taoiseach today, Joan Burton outlined her dismay at the lack of women appointed to the Ervia Board. In July four members were appointed to the Board of Ervia- all of these were men. Speaking after Questions to the Taoiseach, Deputy Burton commented: “In the Programme for Government, the Government committed to increasing female…

Brendan Howlin, has described as a “stunt” Fianna Fáil’s opposition to the agreed proposal of the business committee in relation to Dáil sittings, drawing into question it’s viability. “This was one of the central planks of Dáil Reform aimed at delivering the new politics that Micheál Martin had demanded when this Dáil first sat after…

The Government has done a complete reversal on its own position in the Programme for Government through a move to block a Dáil vote on a Bill to repeal the eighth amendment, says Labour Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan. “The drafting of the programme clearly set outs the ‘right and ability of…

A month ago the Seanad passed a Labour Party motion calling for the re-establishment of an Employer-Labour Conference. The proposed body would complement and support the work of government and current industrial relations institutions, and is aimed at promoting industrial peace and stability. All too often the State’s industrial relations machinery is mobilised in crisis…