News – The Labour PartySpeaking today in response to Minister Eoghan Murphy’s threat to cut the role of local authorities, Labour Leader Brendan Howlin called this either a hollow threat or a foolish suggestion, either of which indicates a Minister well out of his depth and failing in his responsibilities. Deputy Howlin said: “This is…

News – The Labour PartyResponding to the Irish Fiscal Council’s pre-budget statement, Labour Finance and Public Expenditure Spokesperson, Joan Burton TD, noted two important flaws in the Fiscal Council’s comparison of Ireland to other small open economies. Deputy Burton said: “The Fiscal Council has an important role to play in providing independent advice to Government…

News – The Labour Party Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys is calling on Minister Murphy to expedite promised recommendations to cabinet on regulating the short-term rental market Speaking today Senator Humphreys said “This week we heard the Minister for Housing claim that he would strip local councils of their ability to provide emergency housing and move them…

News – The Labour PartyResponding to the Taoiseach’s letter to Micheál Martin and the front page headline ‘Tax cut of €600 for “average worker” key to Varadkar’s wish-list’ (Irish Independent, 5 September 2018), Labour Leader Brendan Howlin pointed out that far from providing a tax cut for “average” workers, the proposed changes would not provide…

News – The Labour Party Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has criticised the Minister for Health for his failure to address the lengthy waiting times for children in need of scoliosis surgery. This comes as parents and their children are still waiting long beyond the four month waiting time previously promised by Minister…

News – The Labour PartyLabour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD today met with Eamon Ryan, Leader of the Green Party regarding the upcoming visit of US President Donald Trump to Ireland. Deputy Howlin said: “I have met with Eamon Ryan TD, leader of the Green Party. We have agreed to co-ordinate a public rally for…

News – The Labour PartyResponding to the publication today of Ireland’s Corporation Tax Roadmap, remarks by the Governor of the Central Bank, as well as a report by the OECD on the convergence of corporation tax rates internationally, Labour Finance Spokesperson Joan Burton argued for a cross-party approach to consider Ireland’s fiscal policy. Deputy Burton…

News – The Labour Party Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said if the Government is to convene another Citizens’ Assembly, then it must examine the relationship of Church and State.  Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “With Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil trying to decide if they’ll take the plunge and give Confidence…