Type: Press

At a meeting of the Labour Party Executive Board this evening, on the recommendation of the Party Leader it was unanimously agreed that the Party would support the re-election of Michael D Higgins as President of Ireland. Deputy Howlin said: “On my recommendation, the Executive Board of the Labour Party has today unanimously agreed that…

Labour Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called on the government to commit to affordable student accommodation development. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “Reports today of the ludicrous cost of new student developments across Ireland will do nothing to stem the tide of the housing challenges facing students. These new developments are targeted at international…

Reacting to out of touch comments made by the Fianna Fáil Health spokesperson Stephen Donnelly today, on the pay of nurses and doctors, Labour’s Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said that Fianna Fáil’s attitude to healthcare workers was shown up at today’s heath committee.  Deputy Kelly said: “It is clear that Deputy Donnelly has…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD has called for Rosslare Europort to be upgraded to a tier one port in the context of Brexit. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Howlin said: “Rosslare Europort is particularly well-placed for development, as it is the nearest port to continental Europe and therefore strategically important. “The logic of that…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said ending the two tier pay system in our health system must be a priority in the upcoming budget.  Deputy Kelly said:  “Ending the two-tier pay system in our hospitals especially would go a long way to enticing more nursing graduates and young into Irish hospitals. This in…

Government has abandoned appointment of Digital Safety Commissioner – Sherlock Labour Spokesperson on Children & Youth Affairs Seán Sherlock TD has slammed the Government for failing to appoint a Digital Safety Commissioner in the new Action Plan for Online Safety, describing it as another talking shop. Deputy Sherlock said: “Once again we have another talking…

Labour Justice spokesperson, Sean Sherlock TD has said that a truly radical reform of Justice would have seen it split into two separate Departments of State. Deputy Sherlock said: “What the Minister has today called a radical restructuring of the Justice Department was first proposed in the Toland report in July 2014, but does not…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has said it is time for a new direction in Irish housing policy that recognises the historical failure of the private housing market in Ireland and the central role the State must play to ensure affordable housing for all. Deputy Howlin said: “Two years into this government, rents are at…

Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan today published a comprehensive policy document outlining Labour’s proposals for state led action to fix the housing system and deliver affordable housing for all. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The Labour Party is proposing a new model of delivery for affordable housing that would over five years deliver 80,000 units of housing…

Speaking today about the high-level resignations of Boris Johnson and David Davis in the UK, Labour leader Brendan Howlin TD spoke about the absolute necessity for Ireland’s interests to be protected from instability in the British Government. Deputy Howlin said: “Theresa May’s Government looks extremely shaky following the resignation of the Brexit Secretary, David Davis,…

Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton TD has said that the announcement by the Fianna Fáil Public Expenditure spokesperson not to seek any tax cuts in this year’s budget is welcome but two years too late, and questioned whether this is now the settled party position. Deputy Burton said: “The reports today that the Fianna Fáil…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has congratulated former Senator Máiría Cahill on her co-option by the SDLP to a Council seat in Lisburn and Castlereagh, and wished her success in her future position. Deputy Howlin said:“ I would like to wish Máiría Cahill the very best in her new role as an SDLP Councillor for…

Speaking at a party seminar commemorating the 50th anniversary of the civil rights movement in Northern Ireland, in a keynote speech, Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin outlined his views on the future of our island saying that before any border poll is held, a New Ireland forum should be held to consider what unification would…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin, reacting to the Chequers statement from the UK Government, has said that while the practicalities are still unclear, finally having a position paper from the UK is a step forward. Now the Irish Government must seek a special meeting of EU leaders as part of the 20 September summit to…

Labour Transport Spokesperson Kevin Humphreys has welcomed the passage of the Road Traffic Bill through the Dáil after weeks of delays and said Labour Senators will be seeking to have it passed through the Seanad before the recess Senator Humphreys said “I welcome the passing of the Road Traffic Bills through Dáil Éireann today after…

Alan Mangan has been selected to contest the next general election as the Labour Party candidate in Longford Westmeath. At the convention in the Mullingar Park Hotel, he said health, housing, jobs and IDA investment, and broadband are some of his key issues. Mr Mangan said: “It’s a huge honour for me to be selected…

Commenting on the Home Building Finance Ireland Bill 2018, Labour’s Spokesperson on Finance, Joan Burton TD said: “The Government’s new housing finance bill must be used for the development of more affordable purchase homes. This bill must focus on the needs of working persons looking to enter the housing market, and not simply be a tool…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin will today introduce a new bill to the Dáil aimed at reintroducing town councils. The Local Government (Restoration of Town Councils) Bill 2018 would provide for defined urban areas with a population of at least 5,000 to be considered by a Local Government Commission for the purposes of establishing a…

Labour Health spokesperson and Vice-Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Alan Kelly TD, has said that the lack of clarity from the HSE on Cervical Check smears is not acceptable. Deputy Kelly said: “This morning the Department of Health confirmed that the physical review of slides that was supposed to be completed by the end…

Commenting on today’s recommendation of the Living Wage Technical Group Labour Party spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan has said that the Government urgently needs to link rent to the cost of living and extend the rent pressure zones nationwide. O’Sullivan said: “Today’s recommendation of an increase of the living wage to €11.90 comes as a…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has criticised the cosy relationship between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael which has ensured the passing of the Admissions to School Bill. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “While they duke out a phoney war through the media, Fianna Fáil have been cosying up to Fine Gael in the Seanad…

Labour LGBT has reiterated its call for the introduction of hate crime legislation following a report published today where Ireland is shown to be seriously deficient in addressing hate crime. Co-Chair of Labour LBGT Aoife Leahy commented on the matter: “It’s not entirely surprising but nonetheless deeply disappointing to see that Ireland is shown to…

Low Pay Commission’s should be given remit by government to reach a real Living Wage Labour spokesperson on Employment, Senator Ged Nash is calling on the government to act on the recommendation of the Living Wage Technical Group and to set out a roadmap to introduce a Living Wage for Ireland. Senator Nash said: “Following…

Labour Party Chairperson and Dáil Candidate for Wicklow, Jack O’Connor has welcomed the recommendation from the Living Wage Technical Group to increase the National Minimum Wage to €11.90 per hour. Commenting on this recommendation Jack O’Connor said: “This is very welcome news for all those people on low pay to ensure they have an acceptable…