Type: Press

Labour justice spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said today (Friday 9th December) the housing crisis is having a huge impact on people trying to escape domestic violence situations. Commenting on the 9% increase in reported incidents of domestic abuse to Gardaí in 2022, Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “It is encouraging that more people have the…

Labour leader and Dublin Bay South TD Ivana Bacik has welcomed the commitment from government to consider the establishment of a Dublin Bay Authority to protect and promote the biosphere across the city’s bay. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Bacik welcomed government support for the central principle of her Dublin Bay Bill and said that,…

Speaking in response to the forced closure of the Mater Hospital’s Long Covid Clinic, Senator Marie Sherlock has sharply criticised the HSE’s decision to disadvantage Long Covid sufferers living on the northside of Dublin. Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Sherlock said: “The closure of the Long Covid Clinic at the Mater Hospital will deprive communities…

Labour justice spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today (Tuesday 6th December) expressed his horror at the shootings in Dublin last night and reiterated his calls for a cast iron date for a Citizens Assembly on Drugs to be held. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “This is yet another shocking shooting on the streets of our capital…

Labour transport spokesperson Duncan Smith said the increases announced by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) must be reversed. Deputy Smith said in light of the cost of living crisis, and with a lack of clarity as to how roads will be improved as a result of these increases, it is unfair to expect already stretched commuters…

Clerys Quarter must be the benchmark for community benefits Labour spokesperson on workers’ rights, Senator Marie Sherlock said today (Wednesday, 16th November) said that good jobs with decent terms and conditions, as promised by developers taking over the Clery’s building, is one of the key measures needed for the historic street’s regeneration. Senator Sherlock said:…

Labour finance and public expenditure spokesperson, Ged Nash has today (Wednesday, 16th November) sharply criticised the Government for tinkering around the edges of climate action and not getting real on the retrofitting of public buildings. Deputy Nash said: “The idea that the Government can roll out a plan to cut emissions by simply stripping away…

Regulator must move to end scourge of gambling ads Labour sports spokesperson Mark Wall said an overhaul of Irish gambling laws is well overdue. Welcoming Minister Browne’s decision to finally bring the gambling regulation bill to cabinet today, Senator Wall said government has dragged its heels on tackling the gambling industry, despite it impacting almost…

Commenting on the sad passing of Vicky Phelan, Labour TD Alan Kelly said: “My thoughts are with Vicky’s family, particularly Jim, Amelia and Darragh and all the Phelan and Kelly families. I’m also thinking of her good friends Lorraine Walsh, Stephen Teap and John Wall as well as many others. Vicky brought something special to…

Labour Local Area Rep in the Blackrock and Douglas area Peter Horgan has reiterated his call from 2018 for the establishment of a standing committee to deal with long term issues of large scale events in Pairc Uí Chaoimh following reports of poor public transport services after the Munster game. “Currently we have a case by case approach but if we…

Labour health and disability spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Wednesday, 9th November) demanded real action from the Government to make sure people with long Covid don’t face discrimination, cuts in pay and that specialised long-Covid clinics are set up in communities across the country. Speaking on a Dail motion on long-Covid, Deputy Smith said: “The…

Framework must pivot towards growth of exporting indigenous companies Opposition parties must be briefed on tech job losses Labour enterprise spokesperson Ged Nash has today warned that unless a new national industrial policy framework prioritised the scaling up of indigenous Irish enterprise, Ireland will continue to be exposed to a dangerous and excessive reliance on…

Labour spokesperson for Transport, Duncan Smith has today (Tuesday 8th November) described the fines imposed by the National Transport Authority (NTA) on Go Ahead and Dublin as eye-watering and said the fines underscore systemic failures across the public transport system. In response to questioning from Deputy Smith at the Oireachtas Transport Committee the NTA confirmed…

Prospect of economic crunch demands robust planning by Government Labour spokesperson on workers rights Marie Sherlock said protecting work and livelihoods must be at the core of government strategy this winter. With recent announcements by major employers, coupled with today’s significant downward assessment by Ibec on the Irish economy next year, many people will be…

With fresh elections expected in the North, Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Northern Ireland Ivana Bacik TD has called on the Irish government to advocate for assembly reform to break the veto on the restoration of a power-sharing executive. Deputy Bacik said: “On Thursday at Leader’s Questions I raised with the Tánaiste what the…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said local authorities must be empowered by government to protect anyone else from falling into homelessness this winter. With homelessness up 29.5%, Senator Moynihan said it’s time for government to take radical action to deal with the housing disaster. Senator Moynihan said: “It’s a national disgrace that almost 11,000 people…

Labour TD for Tipperary, Alan Kelly has extended his sympathy to the family and friends of cervical check campaigner Lynsey Bennett who sadly died last night. Deputy Kelly said: “I am so sad today to hear of Lynsey’s passing at such a young age, and my thoughts are with her daughters Zoe and Hailee, her…

Not too late to introduce project to offset costs says Maher & Horgan    Labour Cllr John Maher and local area rep Peter Horgan have reiterated the potential Impact that a €9 public transport ticket could have for Cork commuters by reducing costs and encouraging more social interaction, A new study by the Institute for…

Surcharge levy should be placed on all data centres Pressing need to re-evaluate State “open door” policy for data centres Labour Finance Spokesperson Ged Nash has today (Monday 17th October) called on the government to ban data centres from the new energy relief scheme announced as part of Budget 2023 and to put in place…

Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said today (12th October) demanded that the government must put in place an immediate timeline and guarantee a process for engagement with workers in the community and voluntary sector. The call comes following the government waving through Labour motion calling for pay rises for community and voluntary sector workers Deputy…

Leader of the Labour Party and Chairperson of the Gender Equality Committee Ivana Bacik TD has welcomed the affirmation by An Taoiseach of the Government’s commitment to hold a referendum on recommendations 1-3 of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality to delete sexist language from the Constitution, recognise a more inclusive definition of family and…

Taoiseach unable to answer questions regarding licensees Raising the operation of the renters tax credit with An Taoiseach today, Labour Leader Ivana Bacik called for clarity as to who qualifies for the benefit. Deputy Bacik said people who have renting on the basis of a licence rather than a standard tenancy are none the wiser…

• Dáil will debate Labour motion demanding pay rise for Section 39 care workers on Wednesday Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith said rather than a grant bridging the gap for people, as proposed by the Tánaiste last week in response to questioning by Labour leader Ivana Bacik, Section 39 workers must be put on the…

Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Monday, 10th October) on World Mental Health Day urged the government to take a lead in ending the stigma surrounding mental health by introducing a Mental Health funding grant of €20 per pupil in schools, and to adequately resource Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) once and…