Type: Press

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin, has said it was both unfortunate and inappropriate for the Mayor of New York, Bill de Blasio, to proclaim a Gerry Adams day in New York. Mr Howlin said it was even more inappropriate that he should do so in the presence of the Taoiseach, the democratically elected leader of…

Labour Disability has called on Minister for Disability Issues Finian McGrath to ensure that the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is ratified. Labour Disability chairperson Michael Keegan stated: “Ireland will shortly ratify the Convention itself but has declined to sign or ratify the protocol. This Optional…

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD has expressed concern at reports that the Taoiseach has made political representations to Clare County Council on behalf of President Donald Trump’s private business interests. This follows reports that Taoiseach Varadkar intervened on behalf of US President Donald Trump over a proposal to build…

Speaking today in the Front Square of Trinity College Dublin by invitation of the TCD Students’ Union at the conclusion of the students’ occupation of Trinity, Labour Senator for Dublin University Ivana Bacik welcomed the success of the campaign being organised by the students to oppose the proposed imposition of a new fee for supplemental…

Labour TD Seán Sherlock has said the announcement by the World Health Organisation that it will review the potential risks of microplastics in bottled water highlights the importance of progressing Labour’s Prohibition of Microplastics Bill through the Oireachtas. Deputy Sherlock said: “I welcome this announcement by the World Health Organisation that it is to review…

Labour Party spokesperson on Community Arts, Councillor Rebecca Moynihan has expressed disappointment in the closure of Filmbase. Councillor Moynihan said: “It’s a sad day for the film-making community in Ireland due to the closure of Filmbase in Temple Bar after thirty-two years. “Hundreds if not thousands of young Irish creatives have learned and honed their…

Responding to reports of continued delays and severe overcrowding on the Luas line, Labour Transport spokesperson Senator Kevin Humphreys has backed calls for Luas operator Transdev to appear before the Oireachtas Transport Committee. Senator Humphreys said: “We are now three months in since the launch of the Luas Cross City line and problems that have…

Labour Party spokesperson on the Arts, Joan Burton TD has expressed sadness on the passing of piper, Liam O’Flynn.  Deputy Burton said: “I’m very sad to hear of the passing of Liam O’Flynn, one of the greatest pipers of all time. “Liam O’Flynn was a tremendous ambassador for music in Ireland and around the world…

Ahead of his Irish Stand event, Labour Party Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has condemned the Taoiseach for extending an invitation to Donald Trump to visit Ireland. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s intended invitation to President Donald Trump to visit Ireland is an insult to the immigrant story of the Irish on the eve…

Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has expressed concern that new apartment guidelines will further squeeze out families, couples and others struggling to find homes in the current housing crisis. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “From an initial review of the new apartment construction regulations it seems builders and developers will have the most to gain. “By…

Labour Party Equality spokesperson, Councillor Deirdre Kingston, has called on TUSLA to provide emergency funding to help clear counselling waiting lists for victims of sexual violence. Councillor Kingston said: “Figures released by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre have shown that victims of sexual violence are waiting over a year to receive counselling because of such…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called on Trinity College Dublin to reverse the decision to introduce a fee of €450 to repeat exams. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “The outrageous decision by Trinity College Dublin to introduce a high fee of €450 to repeat exams will price many students out of college….

Despite warning in January 2017 that Fianna Fáil would not tolerate another trolley crisis this winter, Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has said they are all talk but no action on red line issues. Deputy Kelly said: “In January 2017 Fianna Fáil warned they would collapse the Government by now if there was…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said that today’s report from the Simon Communities, which found that just 7 per cent of the estimated 3,150 properties available to rent fall within HAP limits, again highlights the critical need to build more social and affordable homes for rent and purchase. Deputy O’Sullivan commented: “This…

Chair of the Labour Councillors group, Dermot Lacey of Dublin City Council has criticised the withdrawal by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy, of long established planning rights from Councillors at their municipal district and local area meetings. Cllr Lacey said: “This is the first day that the directive issued by…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has highlighted the increasing number of exemptions to the Government’s pay guidelines for senior posts in the education, justice and health sectors that is undermining the public service pay deal, pointed out the lack of an evidence base for the decisions being made, and called for an examination of the…

Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has called for the Minister for Health to outline what action is being taken to address the overcrowding crisis in Irish hospitals. It comes as new figures from the INMO show overcrowding levels have reached a record high, with 714 people waiting on trolleys in hospitals around the…

Workers shouldn’t have to bear the costs of closed factories and it shows the need for clear red alert guidelines for employers says Labour spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Sen. Ged Nash, following the move by Dawn Meats to dock workers two days of annual leave after the snow storm. Senator Nash said: “The decision to…

Commenting on the upcoming PAC report that will address bank losses, Labour spokesperson on Finance Joan Burton has welcomed the conversion of Fianna Fáil to the cause of increased taxes on profitable banks, and called on the Government to established a Standing Commission on Taxation. Deputy Burton said: “As recently as the last budget I…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has said that he will be raising the alleged activities of Russian agents against tech companies operating in Ireland made today in the Sunday Times when the Dáil  reconvenes. Deputy Howlin said: “These are deeply disturbing reports about Russian sponsored activity in Ireland and follow the alleged murder of a…

Labour spokesperson on Health Promotion and representative in Dublin South West, Cllr Martina Genockey, has welcomed plans mooted by the Health Minister today on the possible rollout of a free contraception scheme. Cllr Genockey said: “It’s great to hear this type of progressive thinking from the Health Minister on the sort of practical measures that…

Labour Disability has welcomed the final step taken in Dáil Éireann last night to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Ireland will now join 175 countries around the world who have already ratified the UNCRPD.  Labour Disability notes however, that there is a lot of outstanding legislation that will be…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called for greater efforts to be made to encourage women and girls to study and teach STEM subjects in schools. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “In the Irish media today and indeed across the world, we are hearing about innovative Irish women who are making waves across…

Labour TD for Tipperary and Vice Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Alan Kelly has said that following the evidence given to the Justice Committee yesterday by the two Garda civilian analysts on homicide figures, that there should now be an immediate independent inquiry into how they were treated. Deputy Kelly said: “The evidence provided…