“The Government are continuing to treat Councillors unfairly and forcing them to work for way less than the minimum wage. “This would not be acceptable or tolerated in relation to any other sector of the workforce, but the Government are banking on public apathy and cynicism around the body politic so as they can get…

Labour spokesperson on Children, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has expressed serious concerns about the revelations regarding the McCabe family and TUSLA, and the actions of Minister Katherine Zappone and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “We must have the upmost confidence in our child protection services and Tusla needs to explain how this happened. It is…

Check against delivery Thank you Ceann Comhairle. I have sent to the Tánaiste a proposed amendment to the published terms of reference. I hope that it will be accepted, as I believe it covers concerns that both I and Deputy O’Callaghan have raised. Specifically, I do not believe it is sufficient to establish whether allegations…

Statement by Brendan Howlin, T.D., Leader of the Labour Party on the announcement this afternoon of the establishment of a Commission of Investigation under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Peter Charleton. “The Garda Commissioner heads a policing service charged with protecting the security of the State, preventing crime and vindicating the human rights of each…

Brendan Howlin, T.D., Leader of the Labour Party has commented on the announcement this afternoon of the establishment of a Commission of Investigation under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Peter Charleton. “The Garda Commissioner heads a policing service charged with protecting the security of the State, preventing crime and vindicating the human rights of each…

In a topical issue debate last night, Labour spokesperson on social protection Willie Penrose called for the local independent structures of the 51 Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) companies to be maintained. There are plans underway to merge voluntary local Boards for the Money and Advice Budgeting Service, and Citizens Information service into regional…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan has said there are serious problems that need to ironed out before Minister Zappone introduces the Affordable Childcare scheme. “Responses by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and POBAL to my questions during pre-legislative scrutiny on the new Affordable Childcare scheme raise serious concerns that…

Labour’s Jobs Spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Government to examine whether it can tap into the European Globalisation Fund for workers at Hewlett Packard. Up to 500 jobs look set to go at the company, which is to close its printing plant in Leixlip in Kildare over the next year. Commenting on…