Speaking at the Global Progress Summit 2017, Brendan Howlin today urged progressive leaders to focus on increasing employment, growing wages and tax justice as mechanisms to combat growing inequality in society. Deputy Howlin said: “Instead of always looking at unemployment levels which ignore the fact that many women and people with disabilities are outside the…

Labour spokeperson on Urban Regeneration Joe Costello has said that NAMA can play a significant role in addressing the Dublin housing crisis. Mr Costello said: “The Labour Party welcomes the Government’s conversion to the idea of involving NAMA in the provision of social and affordable housing.  The Labour Party Housing Spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan, has already…

Labour spokesperson on Justice, Seán Sherlock TD, has said the third report by the Policing Authority reinforces the urgent need for speedy reform in An Garda Síochána. The report raised a number of issues, including that only nine of 50 Garda Inspectorate recommendations Gardaí had claimed had been implemented, were actually in place. Deputy Sherlock…

Labour Party spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD has said that the Government’s proposal to repurpose NAMA which she put forward in Summer 2016 must be transformational, with real teeth to deliver, and not just another funding vehicle for developers. Following sustained market failure to deliver new builds, the State must now take a leading…

Labour Party Education spokesperson Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has hit out at comments made by Minister for Education, Richard Bruton on pay equalisation for younger teachers. Senator Ó Ríordáin commented: “The comments made by the Minister for Education at the Fine Gael Think-In yesterday on equal pay for teachers show how out of touch he…

Labour Party spokesperson on Community Arts, Cllr Rebecca Moynihan is encouraging people to step out on Culture Night and enjoy the wealth of culture on offer in towns and cities around the country on Friday the 22nd of September. Cllr Moynihan stated: “Since its inception as the Temple Bar Culture Night in 2006, this event…

Following the publication of the Coffey report, Labour spokesperson on Finance Joan Burton has said it showed once again the need to establish a Standing Commission on Taxation tasked with continually monitoring our laws, regulations and enforcement of tax matters. Deputy Burton said: “While I welcome the publication of the Coffey Report on Corporation Tax…

Labour spokesperson on Urban Regeneration Joe Costello has said that Government proposals to restore bedsits are regresive and wrong. Mr Costello said: “The new proposals from the Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, to restore the bedsit as a unit of accommodation is regressive and wrong.  The bedsit is not a healthy option for accommodation and…