Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has said that the Cabinet has little or no freedom for manoeuvre on the nature of the abortion referendum it has committed to hold. He said media reports on the views of individual members of the Government serve no purpose. They have collectively supported a process to date and should…

Labour Party spokesperson on Education, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said the only way to solve the teacher shortage is by ending pay inequality to make it more attractive. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “The comments by the Minister for Education yesterday that the growing economy is to blame for the shortage of teachers are preposterous….

Ahead of today’s symposium, ‘Rising to the challenge- addressing Ireland’s gender pay gap’, Labour Senator Ivana Bacik, who is speaking at the event, said: “Today’s symposium on the gender pay gap in Ireland represents another important step on the road to equality between women and men. “Despite significant progress over the years, women in Ireland…

Labour TD Alan Kelly has said an urgent explanation is needed from An Garda Síochana and the Department of Justice for the volume of documents provided to the Disclosures Tribunal in recent weeks. The volume of documents presented has led to a delay in the taking of evidence from the previously published schedule of witnesses….

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has extended his sympathy to the family and friends of former Donegal North East TD Paddy Harte. “I was deeply saddened to hear today of the death of former Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, Paddy Harte. “On behalf of the Labour Party I want to extend my deepest…

Labour Party spokesperson on Education, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has criticised the Minister for Education for the collapse in numbers for those applying to be teachers. This comes as a report has shown a 62% decrease in applications for teacher training courses. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “Once a highly respected profession, now young people are…

Welcoming the appointment today of road safety advocates to the RSA Board, Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys has called on Minister Ross to continue this approach and appoint an advocate for cyclists to reverse the 50% increase in cyclist deaths seen in 2017. Senator Humphreys said: “The move by Minister Ross to appoint…

Welcoming the move to develop a further 39 affordable homes in Ballymun by a housing cooperative, Labour spokesperson on Community Affairs and representative for Dublin North West, Cllr Andrew Montague has called for more action from the Government to deliver affordable housing. Cllr Montague said: “Last year 49 affordable homes were built by the groundbreaking…