The Minister for Education and Skills today confirmed to Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin that providing free GP care to under-12s is no longer a priority for this Government. “Despite agreeing to provide free GP care to under-12s in October 2015, it is quite disappointing to see that the Government has made no progress on…

Labour member of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD,  says the issue of the weight of schoolbags should be included in the Parents and Students Charter, which is due to be established in legislation this year. It follows a meeting of the Committee and the National Parents Council Primary, Post…

Labour spokesperson on Water, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has welcomed that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has contacted the Attorney General on wording of a potential wording of a referendum on public ownership on water. “It is welcome that the Department of Environment has taken on board many of the proposals in…

Today in the Seanad, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has called on the four Sinn Féin MPs in Westminster to take up their seats in the British Parliament and fight for special status for Ireland in the upcoming Brexit negotiations. “Sinn Féin take over half a million pounds in expenses every year, it is now time that…

Labour TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Group on Reproductive Rights, Jan O’Sullivan, has urged women aged between 25 and 60 to avail of their free smear test for cervical cancer. “As this week is European Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, now is the perfect time to avail of free cervical cancer screening. “I was delighted…

Labour TD for Dublin West, Joan Burton, says a thorough review of security measures is needed at Dublin Airport following allegations of human trafficking into the State. Three people, including two Aer Lingus employees, are due to appear in court again next week in connection with the investigation. Deputy Burton said: “These arrests pose the…

Commenting on the announcement by Minister Simon Coveney of changes to the allowances and expenses of Councillors, Labour spokesperson on local government, Senator Denis Landy said that while some of the increases are welcome, the Minister is introducing a clear discrimination against city councillors and that overall Cllrs are unimpressed with the paltry gesture on…

Today at the Finance Committee, Labour Party spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, Sean Sherlock will be questioning the EU Commissioner for Economic Affairs, Taxation and Customs Pierre Moscovici on the EU Stability and Growth Pact, and plans for increasing investment across Europe. Deputy Sherlock said: “At a recent meeting of leaders of the Party…