Type: Press

I welcome the Minister and welcome this historic debate, in which at last after 35 years – if this Bill is passed – we are giving the Irish people the right to vote on whether or not to retain the Eighth Amendment, Article 40.3.3, inserted in 1983 to make Irish law on abortion among the…

Labour TD for Tipperary Alan Kelly has said that it is not acceptable that no meaningful explanation has been provided by the Department of Justice for the failure to search the emails of the Policing Division for material that might be relevant to the Disclosures Tribunal, and further highlights the dysfunction of the Department. This…

The proposed law from Labour TD, Sean Sherlock that would ban the use of micoplastics in Ireland will be subject to detailed scrutiny at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Housing, Planning and Local Government from 9.30am on Wednesday 28th March in Committee Room 1. The Committee members will hear from Dr. Anne Marie Mahon and…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has criticised student accommodation providers in Dublin for proposing sharp rent increases for student accommodation.  Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “The latest rent increases by private student accommodation providers will see privately-owned DCU student accommodation fees rise to over €10,000 for nine months. “The housing crisis we are…

The people of Dublin deserve a proper Arts Service like they deserve a proper housing service or health service”, said Joe Costello, spokesperson on Urban Regeneration, speaking at a Labour meeting in Dun Laoghaire. “Access to the arts, to personal creativity and to rich cultural experiences is the right of every citizen.  It is a…

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin TD has expressed his sadness at the passing of former Labour TD and Ceann Comhairle Seán Treacy. Deputy Howlin said: “It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Seán Treacy, who was father of the house and a distinguished member of the Oireachtas for many years….

Labour TD for Tipperary Alan Kelly has extended his sympathy to the family, friends and supporters of former Ceann Comhairle and TD for Tipperary South, Seán Treacy. Deputy Kelly said: “I am very saddened to hear today of the death of former Ceann Comhairle and Labour TD for Tipperary South, Seán Treacy who provided decades…

Labour Justice spokesperson Séan Sherlock has said that the comments of the Attorney General shows that the pet project of Minister Shane Ross is now a shambles and should be either scrapped or redrafted, and adds to the concerns raised recently by the European Commission. Deputy Sherlock said: “The personal crusade by Minister Shane Ross…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has called for a full briefing for Opposition parties of any security and defence review conducted into possible Russian activities on Irish soil, before any Irish diplomatic actions are taken. The Labour Leader reiterated his support for Ireland’s position at the EU Council yesterday and said that the issue would…

Dublin Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys has called for the equipment being used by firefighters across the country to be urgently updated to ensure the safety of workers and all members of the public that may be involved in a fire situation. It comes after a survey carried out by Senator Humphreys of all 27 county…

Commenting on the newly published plans for the MetroLink, Labour spokesperson on Urban Regeneration Joe Costello said: “The inclusion of the Metro Link Rail Line in the National Development Plan and in the National Planning Framework which were launched by the Government last month has now been followed by the Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) launch…

Labour Party TD and Dáil spokesperson on Communications, Seán Sherlock TD, has called on the Taoiseach to abide by the vote taken in Dáil Éireann today to abolish the Strategic Communications Unit. Deputy Sherlock said: “Labour supported the motion to disband the Strategic Communications Unit because people are losing confidence day by day in a…

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has called for the Government to publish the planned legislation abolishing the mandatory retirement age in the public sector, and to address similar issues for private sector workers who wish to continue working past the age of 65. Deputy Howlin raised the issue during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, following…

Speaking at a public meeting in St Peter’s Hall, Phibsborough, Joe Costello said  that the Labour Party would establish the office of directly elected Mayor of Dublin at the earliest opportunity. Mr Costello said: “Good governance is at the heart of a vibrant city. The Labour Party has long championed the idea of a directly…

The Labour Party’s Genuine Progress Indicators and National Distributional Accounts Bill 2017 will be debated during Private Members time in the Dáil today. The legislation aims to give deeper insight into our national well-being by measuring environmental and social factors alongside the annual measurement of GDP. The Bill would also require an annual report on…

Labour Councillor in Ballymun and representative in Dublin North West, Andrew Montague, has praised the emergency services for their swift reaction in dealing with last night’s fire at the Metro Hotel in Ballymun and their dedication to protecting the community. Cllr Montague said: “I think for anyone who witnessed last night’s fire in Ballymun or…

Labour Spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has expressed concern that people waiting on hospital trolleys are being denied hot food in some of Ireland’s largest hospitals. Deputy Kelly said: “It is quite worrying to read in today’s newspapers that some of Ireland’s largest hospitals have shifted their policy to deny vulnerable patients on trolleys…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin has welcomed the outcome of the second stage vote on the Referendum Bill to repeal the 8th amendment to the constitution. Deputy Howlin said: “This is undoubtedly a historic day but while a significant milestone it doesn’t mark the end of the journey. We will have a referendum now that…

Commenting on the latest report from the Residential Tenancies Board, Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan TD has said tenants are still facing rising rents, with those outside the rent pressure zones experiencing a knock-on impact. Deputy O’Sullivan continued: “When you look past one of the takes from this latest Residential Tenancies report that shows a…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin will be available to speak to media at 11.30am on the motion on the Strategic Communications Unit and issues of the day. What: doorstep with Labour Leader Brendan Howlin Where: Leinster House plinth When: 11.30am, Tuesday, 20th March 2018

  Labour Youth is extremely alarmed to hear that Bus Éireann has lost the right to operate on six routes on the Kildare-Dublin corridor to Go Ahead, a British operator. Chairperson Chloe Manahan commented, “this is very concerning for the 70 bus drivers who will be affected by this change. The privatisation agenda of this…

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has urged caution in response to today’s agreement between the UK and EU on the transition period. Deputy Howlin said: “While the so-called ‘backstop’ technically remains in place we appear to be no closer to any solution on how it will work in practice….

Commenting on the suspension of Senator Máire Devine from Sinn Féin, Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has said that it is clear that any hope that the new Sinn Féin leadership would herald the dawn of a new era has now disappeared. Deputy Howlin said: “It is business as usual with Sinn Féin as…

Dublin Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys has expressed his concern at today’s article in the Sunday Business Post regarding the allocation of school sports grants. Senator Kevin Humphreys commented: “I think anyone reading this article would have been jarred by the revelation that 30 public schools had their applications for sports grants turned down this year,…