Senator Ivana Bacik, Labour Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, today expressed her disappointment at the result of the US election and defeat of Hillary Clinton. Speaking in the Seanad during the Order of Business, Senator Bacik said: “The result declared this morning in the US Presidential election represents a real disappointment for all of us who…

Like many Irish people, and people all around the world, I went to bed last night feeling apprehensive, and woke up to realise that a nightmare had become a reality. A man who has, at every opportunity, sought to demean and belittle whole swathes of his society, has become the leader of the largest free…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Jan O’Sullivan, is calling on the Government to introduce measures to bring certainty for renters. It comes after the latest rental figures from property website Daft.ie show residential rents have soared nationally by 11.7 per cent year-on year in the third quarter- the highest annual rate of…

Welcoming the proposals to amend Councillor PRSI benefits in the Social Welfare Bill, Deputy Willie Penrose today said: “The Social Welfare Bill was published last Friday, just four days ago, covering all the changes announced in Budget 2017. It was signed off by the Cabinet last week. I welcome this change which has been long…

Labour spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Development, Senator Ivana Bacik, has expressed concern at reports of the detention by the Turkish government of Opposition politicians, members of Turkey’s Democratic Party (HDP). Senator Bacik said: “I join with the Party of European Socialists in their statement today, condemning the detention of Opposition MPs by the Turkish government,…

Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, Labour Party spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government said: “The Labour Party has always supported the public ownership of our water infrastructure.” “Our colleague Willie Penrose published a Bill in July this year outlining those principles and calling for an amendment to our Constitution. The Labour amendment would ensure that the…

Today, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the publication of the first report by the Climate Change Advisory Council. Speaking on the publication of the report, Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “I welcome the first report of the Climate Change Advisory after hard won climate change legislation was championed by Labour in government. The passing of the…

Labour spokesperson for Older People, Emmet Stagg, is urging people, particularly in rural or remote communities, to check in on their elderly neighbours in the event of industrial action by Gardaí tomorrow. “Many older people might understandably be feeling anxious ahead of tomorrow’s planned strike by rank and file Gardaí, especially those who live alone…