Residential Tenancies (Right to Purchase) Bill announced without any detail on scheme Labour leader and housing spokesperson Ivana Bacik has criticised Government’s failure to progress its legislation to provide renters with a first refusal where their landlord is selling up. Deputy Bacik submitted Parliamentary Questions to the Minister following the announcement of the scheme in…

Labour Leader and Housing Spokesperson Ivana Bacik TD has said that more urgency is needed to make good on commitments previously given by the Minister for Housing to people living in homes with construction defects. Deputy Bacik called for the speedy publication and implementation of the draft Fire Safety Code of Practice. According to her,…

Properly resourced service will end stigma Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has urged government to focus spending in Budget 2024 on mental health services. Deputy Smith said the report published by the Mental Health Commission last week points to a failure of government to invest in mental health services. Deputy Smith said: “Ireland currently has…

Speaking on the deadline day for School Transport Payments (today, Friday, June 9th) Labour Spokesperson on Rural and Community Development Seán Sherlock said it is critical that the Minister for Education confirm that those paying by the deadline will receive a school bus seat. Deputy Sherlock said: “Already parents and students are beginning to worry…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has expressed his concern at Government’s failure to provide ICT grants to schools since 2021. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “There seems to be no joined up thinking in the Department of Education. Rather than taking a proactive, collaborative approach with schools, the Minister lurches from crisis to crisis. “As…

Labour calls for playing pitches in towns with a population above 5,000 Labour sports spokesperson Senator Mark Wall has said the time for photo ops for football is over. Calling for Government to take action now and invest in football in Ireland, Senator Wall said it’s time for investment in football. Senator Wall said: “The…

Time for Department of Taoiseach to take responsibility for co-ordinating national effort Labour leader and housing spokesperson Ivana Bacik has urged Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to step up and take responsibility for the ongoing failures to provide shelter for people fleeing war. Deputy Bacik said: “Cabinet is set to sign off on a €1.5 million pay…

Labour finance and enterprise spokesperson Ged Nash has said it is now time for legislative action to force supermarkets to be more transparent on profits and pricing. Deputy Nash said: “Ultra-profitable Tesco has been first out of the traps today on their PR campaign to be the first to lower prices across a range of…