Labour group leader on Dublin City Council Cllr Dermot Lacey has called on Council management to defer the collection of commercial rates for the month of March and as long as the current COVID-19 crisis continues to support small business. Cllr Lacey said:“This is an unprecedented time for our country and our people, and the…

Labour TD for Dublin Fingal, Duncan Smith, has called for banks to temporarily increase their contactless payments limits. Deputy Smith said: “As more businesses are moving away from cash payments during Covid-19, banks should now consider increasing the limit on contactless cards from €30 to €60. “Government and agencies of the State are all playing…

Labour spokesperson on Employment and Social Protection, Ged Nash T.D, has said it’s important that retail workers at the coalface of ‘panic buying’ in shops and supermarkets are protected in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak and are treated with respect. Deputy Nash said: “While this is obviously a very anxious and stressful time for…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called for social media companies to step up their game in tackling misinformation on Covid-19. Deputy Kelly said: “With Covid-19 now being defined as a global pandemic and Governments around the world taking serious measures to tackle the spread of this virus, I think it is vital…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has urged the Government to act swiftly to clarify arrangements for practical and oral Leaving Cert exams in light of the Covid-19 public health crisis. The Dublin Bay North TD also called for an early decision on the possible postponement or cancellation of Junior Cert exams – and…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Seán Sherlock has called for the Department and providers to quickly provide certainty for workers in the childcare sector on their wages over the coming weeks, after the closure of crèches. Deputy Sherlock said: “Most childcare providers are private operators and many staff in the sector are worried…

Labour Party TD for Fingal, Duncan Smith has called for discretionary powers to be returned to social welfare officers in light of Covid-19. Deputy Smith said: “It is essential now that discretionary powers are returned to social welfare officers similar to that of Community Welfare Officers to assist people over the next few weeks. “The…

Labour Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has urged the public to heed the measures announced by government today regarding the curtailment of public engagement from 6p.m. this evening  and said that that proper adherence to them will save lives that would otherwise be lost. He urged the public to follow public health advice, regarding the…