Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said the apparent decision of government to abandon subsidies for antigen tests will leave people behind in our COVID response and has reiterated his call on government to subsidise the tests to ensure those who are struggling to make ends meet can access them for free. Deputy Smith said: “I…

Labour Party spokesperson on arts and culture Senator Marie Sherlock has strongly welcomed the decision by Dublin City Council to refuse permission for a hotel on the site of the Cobblestone Pub. Speaking this morning, Senator Sherlock said that this must be a turning point in the battle for cultural spaces in Dublin and that…

Labour Foreign Affairs spokesperson Brendan Howlin TD has called again for the Irish government and the EU to take immediate action to ensure vaccines are made more widely available in the rest of the world, and for Ireland to support the TRIPS waiver. Deputy Howlin said: “Now is the time for the world to act…

• 698 additional people homeless since July simply unacceptable • Eviction ban urgently needed Labour Senator Rebecca Moynihan said it is simply unacceptable and unbelievable that 8,830 people are without a home today. As the number of people living homeless increased by 4% month on month and with many sectors of work forced to close…

Responding to the Central Bank’s comments on the Shared Equity Scheme, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said the decision to pursue this scheme shows a lack of understanding of basic economics. Rather than addressing the affordability crisis at the heart of the housing crisis, this scheme will continue to inflate house prices. Senator Moynihan said:…

Meanwhile no sick pay in place Remote workers have no legal right to disconnect Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock said the kite flying by the Tánaiste needs to end now. Calling for a commitment to a date for a new permanent public holiday, Senator Sherlock said the delay and messing on the public holiday is…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said young people cannot continue to pay the price for government’s investor-led approach to housing. Commenting on the IBPF report published today, Senator Moynihan said it is time for a ban of investment funds bulk buying apartments. Senator Moynihan said: “The housing crisis is worse than ever before. We have…

Substitution crisis continues to impact secondary schools Labour education spokesperson has reiterated his call for the Minister for Education to meet with Opposition to discuss the current situation of Covid-19 in schools. Highlighting concerns raised by school communities and unions, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said it is only by working openly and collaboratively that long-term solutions…