Education Spokesperson, Joan Burton TD, Party Leader Brendan Howlin, and Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin today published a Labour Party Bill that will make it easier for parents to send their children to their local school, regardless of their faith.The Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 will address and tackle the current practice of primary…

MEDIA NOTIFICATION Sunday 26 June, 2016 LABOUR TO LAUNCH BILL TO ADDRESS RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS TOMORROW Labour Party Education Spokesperson Joan Burton, along with Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, will launch the Party’s Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill 2016 tomorrow. The Bill will be debated in Labour’s Private Members’ time in Dáil Éireann…

I would like to extend my best wishes to the organisers and participants of the Dublin Pride Parade which takes place today. The  annual Pride Parade is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together and celebrate our diversity. While the passing of the Marriage Equality referendum last year was a…

In last year’s budget, Labour introduced landmark proposals to legislate to allow for fathers to take two weeks’ paid paternal leave for the first time. The new statutory paternity leave is to be paid at a rate of €230 a week, the same as maternity benefit, and based on the same PRSI contribution requirements. It…

The result of the UK’s referendum on EU membership has deeply shocked Labour Youth.   National Chairperson of Labour Youth Grace Williams commented, “It is my firm belief that international cooperation is vital in tackling common global issues such as corporate tax evasion, climate change, and responding to the refugee crisis. As global citizens, we are…

I wish to express my extreme disappointment following the outcome of the UK referendum on EU membership. In time I think it will be seen as a tragedy for its people. While today is not the day for taking definitive positions – so much of what will happen now is unknown, our first obligation will…

Labour Spokesperson on Social Protection Deputy Willie Penrose has called on Minister Leo Varadkar to act to provide self-employed people with a fairer access to the social protection system. Speaking last night in Dáil Eireann, Deputy Penrose said, “During the period of the worst economic recession, the protection of the social welfare system was given…

Joan Burton TD commenting on Summer Economic Statement Under the Summer Economic Statement the share of public spending in GDP will decline from 28.9% in 2016 ( already one of the lowest in any advanced economy) to 25.3% in 2021. The share of gross current spending in GDP declines from 26.7% in 2016 to 22.6%…