Labour Party spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD has said that legislation first proposed by Labour last summer would have refocussed NAMA’s efforts on the provision of housing. It follows reports today that the Government is considering setting up a semi-state body to oversee house building as a means of tackling the crisis. Deputy O’Sullivan…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has outlined his support for the HSE’s Protect our Future HPV vaccine campaign and has condemned the comments of his constituency colleague Deputy Mattie McGrath. Deputy Kelly commented: “This week, more than 30,000 young girls started secondary school and are due to receive the HPV vaccine in the…

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has described the Taoiseach’s Strategic Communications Unit as a vanity propaganda project, and a means of providing further communications advice to the Taoiseach without properly appointing special advisers. Deputy Howlin said: “Never before has the establishment of a communications unit been handled with so much secrecy. We have been told who…

Former Dublin Lord Mayor and City Councillor, Brendan Carr, has renewed his call for the introduction of a hotel bedroom tax following the release of new statistics which indicate the sector is booming. Cllr Carr said: “A new independent survey by accountancy firm Crowe Horwath indicates that the average profit on each hotel room in…

Labour spokesperson on Social Protection has criticised the Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty for stating that she will not seek weekly increases in the Budget for those who aren’t pensioners. This follows recent mixed messages on what will be in the Social Protection Budget package in October. Senator Nash said: “Another summer is drawing…

Labour Party spokesperson on an Ghaeilge, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has slammed the move by Bank of Ireland to remove the Irish language option from their ATM services. “I am very disappointed to learn that Bank of Ireland are planning on removing the Irish language option from their ATMs across the country. “For many years,…

Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys has criticised the renewed speculation that Irish Rail may close up to four train lines to secure savings. Senator Humphreys said: “There is a clear need for increased investment in our rail stock. The financial challenges in Irish Rail won’t be resolved by closing four rail lines. “Shane…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has expressed his sadness on the sudden death of former Wicklow Councillor Conal Kavanagh. “I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Conal Kavanagh on Sunday. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife and their children, his father, mother and sister. “Conal had been…