The Leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, has responded to comments made by the DUP’s Jeffrey Donaldson MP at the IIEA this evening. Deputy Howlin said: “The Taoiseach’s position on the border backstop reflects the will of Dáil Éireann to preserve free and unfettered trade on this island following the UK’s departure from…

The crisis we are discussing was readily predictable. Ireland, like other countries across Europe, is experiencing a rapid demographic change as our population ages. This ageing is set to increase over the coming decades. Since 2006, there has been a 36% increase in our elderly population. The number of people with disabilities has increased by…

Labour Spokesperson for Defence Brendan Ryan TD has called on Government to establish a permanent body for the provision of physical and mental healthcare of members of the Defence Forces.  In an amendment to a Fianna Fáil motion on Defence, Deputy Ryan has also sought a dedicated recruitment drive for psychiatrists to the safeguard mental…

Speaking in the Dáil on Tuesday 11th June during ‘Statements on Northern Ireland’ Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin outlined his views on the need for an all-Ireland forum to discuss what a unitary Irish state might look like, saying: I welcome reports that parties in Northern Ireland are meeting as part of a sincere effort…

The Labour Party’s Rebecca Moynihan has called for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, to issue stronger planning guidelines on student accommodation to stop purpose built student accommodation being turned into co-living spaces.  Councillor Moynihan said: “Media reports stating that developers of student accommodation are seeking to turn purpose built student spaces into…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has called the government’s position on a smoky coal ban “outrageous” when he raised the issue with the Minister for Climate Action in the Dáil yesterday. Deputy Howlin said: “The government has failed to implement the announced smoky coal ban for four years. This has a huge impact on…

Responding the second Scally Report, Labour Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said there are serious questions to be answered by the HSE and the Department of Health. Deputy Kelly said: “Finally after a significant delay, we have been provided with the second report of Dr.Gabriel Scally’s inquiry into the Cervical Check controversy. This report due to…

Labour Spokesperson on Climate Change Seán Sherlock has welcomed the long overdue action of the Cabinet today to approve legislation to ban the use of microplastics in Ireland. This follows a commitment to do so last year and in return Labour withdrew our Prohibition of Micro-Plastics Bill 2016. Previous to that a similar Green Party…