The Labour Party today published its Water Charges (Fair Treatment of Customers) Bill 2016. The purpose of this Bill is to ensure that, in the event of water charges being suspended, there should be fair treatment as between the majority who paid their water charges and those who did not. This Bill provides for the…

Labour Party Senator Ivana Bacik has said the government clearly does not care about repealing the 8th amendment because it has not committed to a referendum on the issue. Senator Ivana Bacik stated: “The publication of the Programme for Government will come as a major disappointment to those who want to liberalise women’s reproductive rights….

The deliberate removal from the Programme for Government, of any commitment to implement the recommendations of the McMahon report on Direct Provision is beyond disappointing. It is in fact a betrayal of the thousands of people who have found themselves languishing in Direct Provision Centres all around the country. In Government Labour oversaw the publication…

Labour Party Senator Ged Nash has said the government has abandoned low paid workers by not supporting a living wage. Senator Nash commented: “I am disappointed but not surprised that there are no plans for a living wage in the programme for government. I think it is deeply ironic that a government which has said…

Labour Party Senator Kevin Humphreys has welcomed Minister Finian McGrath’s U-turn in support of cigarette taxes. Senator Humphreys commented: “Finian McGrath used to be staunchly opposed to cigarette taxes. Just last year in the Dáil, McGrath described cigarette taxes as punitive and populist. He was also a vocal critic of the successful smoking ban in…

This afternoon I informed my colleagues in the Labour Parliamentary Party that I intend to stand down as Leader of the party once my successor is elected. I have asked that the Executive Board of the party immediately make arrangements for the election of the new Leader under the provisions of the party constitution. I…

Firstly can I convey my very sincere congratulations to Richard Bruton on his appointment as Minister for Education and Skills.   It was the privilege of my political career to serve as Minister for Education and Skills.  The new Minister will find an excellent team in Marlborough Street thoroughly committed to public education in its…

Labour Party Senator Kevin Humphreys has expressed concern that the economic and social progress achieved in urban areas will be side-lined by the new government. Senator Humphreys commented: “It is important that every government places equal importance on the needs of rural and urban Ireland. This is why the previous government designed a comprehensive jobs…