Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the call in the tenth report by Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Dr Geoffrey Shannon, for the introduction of a so-called ‘Fagin’s Law’. Fagin’s Law refers to a special offence to prosecute adults who groom children to carry out crimes including theft, prostitution, assault and murder. This is particularly…

Speaking in the Dáil today, Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, asked the Minister for Health to consider running a competition in our schools to name the new National Children’s Hospital. Deputy Howlin said: “The general scheme of the Children’s Health Bill as published has left blank the name of the National Children’s /hospital. “In…

Labour TD Joan Burton has said that the needs of children with disabilities must take centre stage when any changes are being considered to the Early Childhood Care and Education scheme. Deputy Burton has welcomed the announcement by Minister Zappone that a consultation process is being launched with parents on the issue, and will raise…

At today’s meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment, the Labour Party’s Jan O’Sullivan has called for clarity around the proposed referendum on the Eighth Amendment. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “As the committee on the Eighth Amendment moves towards the publication of our report on 20th December, I am calling on the Government to…

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has said the decision by Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital will damage long-term peace in the Middle East. Deputy Howlin said: “The decision of Donald Trump to move the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem is a provocative act that damages…

Labour spokesperson for Finance, Pubic Expenditure and Reform, Joan Burton TD, has welcomed the move by Government to raise the compulsory retirement age in the public sector from 65 to 70. Deputy Burton said: “Many people don’t feel ready to retire at the age of 65 and still have a valuable contribution to make to…

*Embargoed until 9pm, December 5th, 2017 Speech by Brendan Howlin TD Labour Party Leader and Spokesman on Foreign Affairs Syrian Civil War a Proxy Conflict between Superpowers Dáil Éireann, Motion re. Syrian Sanctions (Independents4Change) Thursday 5th December 2017 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY The conflict in Syria is the world’s gravest humanitarian crisis since the Second World…

Former Labour TD Joe Costello has welcomed the decision of the Government to set an urgent date for the passage of the Electoral (Amendment) (Dail Constituencies) Bill 2017. He was speaking today after the hearing of his application to the High Court for a Declaration that urgent legislation was necessary to prevent a constitutional challenge…