Speech by Brendan Howlin TDLabour Party Leader Motion re: Proposed approval for EU Directive on standards for the reception of applicants for international protection23rd January 2018 CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY This proposal is a belated response to a long-running scandal. We have all of us become inured to the unconscionable delays in our asylum decision-making process….

Labour Youth has today condemned the exceptionally limited measures from the Department of Justice and Equality to provide employment opportunities to asylum seekers in Ireland. Speaking on the matter, Labour Youth Chairperson, Chloe Manahan said “It is grievously disappointing to see that the Department has taken such an incompassionate approach to implementing measures meant to…

Vice chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Labour TD Alan Kelly, has said the decision to reopen Stepaside Garda Station in Dublin needs to be abandoned in light of the findings of the Committee on the issue In its periodic report published today, the PAC recommended that the ultimate decision to re-open Garda…

Labour spokesperson on affordable housing, Joanna Tuffy has highlighted that the new criteria from the Government for the Home Loan Scheme will breach the Central Bank loan to income ratios and does nothing to make housing more affordable, but increases the amount a person can borrow. Ms Tuffy said: “The new Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan…

Labour spokesperson on Rural and Community Affairs, Willie Penrose TD, has welcomed confirmation from Minister Michael Ring that consultation on the introduction of a public banking system in Ireland has been completed, and called for the report to be published as soon as possible. It follows a Parliamentary Question to the Minister by Deputy Penrose…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said the proposals announced by the Government today do not go far enough to address the housing crisis, that the State needs to more to proactively build affordable homes for sale or rent, and that the ‘new’ loan scheme is a rebranding of what already existed. Deputy…

The Parliamentary Labour Party will tomorrow, Monday 22nd January, hold a special meeting to discuss their priorities for the year ahead in the Dáil and Seanad, and specifically efforts to address the housing crisis. The Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, will be available to speak to reporters at 1.45pm at the entrance to Liberty Hall….

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said that the thousands of vacant homes lying idle around the country remain the low hanging fruit option still underutilised by Government to deal with the housing crisis. It follows reports the Department of Housing is to make changes to the Repair and Lease scheme, after it…