Labour Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed measures contained in the new Social Welfare and Pensions Bill, which reflects legislation proposed by Labour earlier this year, to ensure greater pension rights for LGBT couples. Labour’s Equal Pensions Bill was introduced to the Seanad by Senator Bacik, in March. Senator Bacik commented: “I thank Minister Varadkar for adopting…

Following further revelations on Primetime last night, Labour TD and Vice Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Alan Kelly has said it is now time for Fianna Fáil to act on the latest controversy. Deputy Kelly said: “Fianna Fáil has said if they were in Government they would have removed the Garda Commissioner. Their position…

My Party Leader Brendan Howlin has outlined the compelling reasons why we should postpone the sale of AIB shares until the fiscal rules are changed to allow us to use the capital that will accrue for infrastructural projects that will bring social and economic benefit. Our Party has secured the support of sister parties in…

Statements re. Ireland and the negotiations on the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union Speech by Brendan Howlin TD CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Taoiseach, On behalf of my party and our movement I want to wish you all a Happy Europe Day. May we be united in diversity, to quote the EU motto. I welcome the…

Speaking on our motion on the sale of AIB, Labour Party spokesperson on Finance, Joan Burton TD has said it is time for Government to reconsider the sale of a 25% stake in AIB, saying that it is just pure folly at this time. Deputy Burton said: “Ireland will sell off 25% of a bank…

  This motion isn’t just about economics. About cautious fiscal plans and prudent public spending. This motion is also about some basic morality. It’s about an economic collapse, brought about by our profligate, property-speculating banks. And it’s about the enormous price our people paid to rescue the banks and to rescue the economy. The last…

Labour Party spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, Seán Sherlock TD, has called for the Government to immediately begin talks with public sector trade unions on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, following the publication of the report of the Public Sector Pay Commission. “It is clear from the Public Sector Pay Commission report…

Labour Housing Spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said the Government needs to make use of the thousands of vacant properties around the country in a bid to tackle the housing crisis. It comes as the latest report from property website Daft.ie shows rents are at a record high, while the number of available rental properties…