With submissions now closed to the National Planning Framework, Labour Senator Ged Nash has said that a pathway must now be set out by the Government to allow Drogheda to achieve city status, and that it must be recognised in the final document. Senator Nash said: “Drogheda is Ireland’s largest town and the broader urban…

Labour Health spokesperson Alan Kelly TD, has said action is needed to ensure best practice is observed in the management of hospital waiting lists to restore the trust of patients in the system that medical need will be prioritised. It follows an audit by the National Treatment Purchase Fund that identified long delays in the…

The revelations from the Paradise Papers highlight once again the need for a Standing Commission on Taxation in order to tackle tax avoidance, according to Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton as she spoke on a Topical Issue in the Dáil, where she also called for a full debate on the Papers. Deputy Burton said: “The…

Labour Party spokesperson on Community Arts, Councillor Rebecca Moynihan, has welcomed measures to tackle harassment in the Arts industry announced by the Minister for Arts. Councillor Moynihan said: “Today’s announcement by Minister Humphreys that measures, including harassment training, are to be introduced to deal with harassment and bullying in the Arts sector is a very…

Labour Party spokesperson on Rural and Community Affairs, Willie Penrose TD, has said that the Government must give clarity around the future of the Post Office network. Deputy Penrose said: “There is fear in rural Ireland at the moment over the certainty of the future of their local post offices. While speaking on RTÉ this…

Labour spokesperson on Equality, Councillor Deirdre Kingston, has said the controversy surrounding John Halligan’s interview questions highlights that despite some progress, there is still a level of gender bias against women in the workplace. Councillor Kingston said: “The Ireland of today is thankfully a different place to the days when married women were forced out…

Labour leader and party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has queried the basis for the Taoiseach’s assertion that the Brexit talks could progress beyond the initial stage following the European Council in December.  Deputy Howlin said: “While we would all like to imagine that significant progress can be made on alleviating the impact…

Following questions to the Taoiseach in the Dáil it was confirmed to Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin that the vacancy in a position of Garda Detective Inspector in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement is now being filled on a part time basis. The vacancy in the most senior Garda position in the…