News – The Labour PartyLabour spokesperson on defence Senator Mark Wall has said the unexpected announcement from Minister Eamon Ryan about the future of the Cathal Brugha barracks represents another body blow to an already demoralised Defence Force. Senator Wall said: “In recent discussions with The Taoiseach, the Minister for Defence and other Government officials…

News – The Labour PartySpeaking in the Dáil on the National Broadband Plan, Labour communications spokesperson Duncan Smith said in order to ensure a functioning flexible work culture in Ireland, the broadband capacity simply must catch up. Deputy Smith said: “All week, we in the Labour Party have been talking about flexible work and people…

News – The Labour PartyLabour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has demanded that government provide the covid bonus payment to all workers in the disability sector, including section 39 organisations. Following confirmation by Minister McGrath that home help workers would receive the pandemic bonus, Deputy Smith said that workers providing disability service, like all healthcare workers,…

News – The Labour PartyLabour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has demanded that the government commit to providing a Hybrid Leaving Cert without the use of school profiling. Pointing to the experience in Scotland in 2020, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said the use of school profiling will undermine the opportunity of students from poorer backgrounds. Deputy…

News – The Labour PartyLabour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has called on Minister Stephen Donnelly to urgently progress discussions with the dental industry to ensure that the most vulnerable in society have swift access to dental treatment when they need it. Highlighting the difficulties faced by people trying to access the Dental Treatment Services Scheme…

News – The Labour PartyLabour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said the government needs to take real action rather than repeated PR exercises to deliver real change for renters. Highlighting the exponential increase in rents throughout the country, Senator Moynihan said crucial problem areas remain ignored by government. Senator Moynihan said: “Government are again spinning that…

News – The Labour PartyLabour Senator and member of the Oireachtas Health committee Annie Hoey has today demanded that Minister for Mental Health, Mary Butler immediately outlines an action plan to increase specialist eating disorder resources in the community. With the conversation growing on the damaging impact of diet culture, Senator Hoey said the inherent…

News – The Labour PartyLabour Health spokesperson Duncan Smith has called for the promised nationwide audit of CAMHS services to be swift and thorough.   Deputy Smith said: “What has emerged from South Kerry is deeply concerning. It represents an absolute failure on behalf of the HSE and people must be held to account. 46 children…