Labour leader Brendan Howlin TD, has today announced that the Labour Party will co-sponsor the Green Party’s Waste Reduction Bill, and use its Private Members’ slot this Tuesday to debate the legislation. The Bill would see non-biodegradable coffee cups banned from 2020, and introduce a deposit and refund scheme for closed beverage containers. Deputy Howlin…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has expressed her disappointment that the Government’s Vacant Homes Strategy has been delayed until at least late Autumn. Deputy O’Sullivan made the comments following statements in the Dáil on Housing this morning. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “A fraction of the empty homes in Ireland would solve the Housing crisis. …

Labour spokesperson on Social Protection Willie Penrose TD has questioned the agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on the limit for publication of social welfare fraud cases. For tax defaulters, only cases above €30,000 are published. Deputy Penrose has said one class of case should not be treated differently to another. Deputy Penrose said:…

Labour leader Brendan Howlin TD, has today published legislation that aims to give a better insight into our national well-being by measuring environmental and social factors alongside the annual measurement of GDP. The Genuine Progress Indicators and National Distributional Accounts Bill 2017 would also require an annual report on the impact of the Budget on…

Labour TD for Cork East, Seán Sherlock, has called on Minister Simon Coveney to apologise to an Air Corps pilot over reports the Minister questioned the pilot’s decision not to fly him to Cork due to fog in 2015. Deputy Sherlock commented: “This direct intervention by  Minister Coveney is indicative of a creeping sense of…

The Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD will be available to speak to reporters, tomorrow morning, 11.30am, Thursday 6th July, on the Leinster House plinth to launch our Genuine Progress Indicators and National Distributional Accounts Bill 2017. What: doorstep with Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin Where: Leinster House Plinth When: 11.30am, Thursday 6th July

Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has welcomed the publication of the updated ten-year national cancer strategy. Deputy Kelly said the report highlights the need to retain and recruit highly trained staff into the health service. Deputy Kelly commented: “Sadly there are few families in Ireland that haven’t, or will not be impacted by…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said that the recommended rise in the Living Wage highlights the appalling pay levels of workers in the childcare sector. The Living Wage Technical group has raised the rate by 20 cent to €11.70 per hour, which it says is needed to maintain a…