Type: Press

New legislation aimed at improving conditions for thousands of workers in precarious employment is flawed because it fails to cover dodgy ‘if & when’ contracts. Speaking ahead of the Dáil debate on the government’s Employment (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017, Labour’s Employment Affairs & Social Protection spokesperson Senator Ged Nash explained: “Working with an expert team…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said that rent increases have spiralled out of control, and measures are urgently needed to address the lack of affordability in the sector. It comes as the latest rental report from Daft.ie shows rents have risen nationally by around 10% in the year to December, and are…

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Northern Ireland, Brendan Howlin TD has welcomed the progress made towards restoring a power sharing Executive in Northern Ireland, and has said it is essential for ensuring the people of Northern Ireland are heard over the coming weeks in this critical phase of Brexit talks. Deputy Howlin said: “On…

Labour spokesperson on Tourism and representative for Galway West, Cllr Níall McNelis has said that the upgrade of the atrocious N59 must be a priority in the National Development Plan to be published on Friday in Sligo as it is an essential tourism route for Connemara and the west of the county. Cllr McNelis said:…

Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health to intervene in the controversy over patient access to Versatis pain patches. Late last year the HSE added a second level of approval for GPs looking to continue prescribing the patches after a three month period, with just 10% of applications…

Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has expressed concern about a HSE review into the use of specific foetal monitors being used at a number of Irish maternity hospitals. Deputy Kelly said: “Reports that the HSE is now reviewing safety concerns regarding the use of this type of foetal monitor are extremely worrying, particularly…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD has described today’s interview by the Taoiseach with RTE This Week on Brexit as ‘blasé’ and disappointing. Deputy Howlin said: “”The Taoiseach has been reduced to seeking clarity on matters he has already declared clear. “”Having been told we had secured a cast iron guarantee, the Taoiseach’s own words…

Speaking on the retirement of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams, Leader of the Labour Party Brendan Howlin has said we must never forgot the atrocities that the Provisional IRA perpetrated and that Sinn Féin stood over, but that as a late convert to peace Adams has left a legacy that will be debated for decades….

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has criticised the continued delay in rolling out a deposit protection scheme, which is aimed at protecting tenants and landlords. It was revealed to Deputy O’Sullivan in a Parliamentary Question to the Minister for Housing that his Department is still examining the legislative provisions, more than two years…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has said the Irish Government must now respond strongly to the growing unease at recent UK Brexit developments. Speaking after the comments today by Michel Barnier, and following other developments this week, Deputy Howlin said the prospect of an unavoidable border undermines the Taoiseach’s previous statement that the December agreement…

The reports that the DART underground will be left out of the National Development Plan has been criticised by Labour Transport spokesperson Senator Kevin Humphreys who said it is an essential piece of infrastructure for the long term growth and sustainability of the Dublin region. Senator Humphreys said: “I am deeply concerned that Fine Gael…

Labour Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has welcomed the unanimous decision of the Supreme Court today that the ban on asylum seekers working is unconstitutional, however said the recent rules introduced by the Department of Justice are a disgrace and an attempt to circumvent and set aside the judgement. The complainant in this case is no…

Labour General Election candidate in Dublin South Central, Cllr Rebecca Moynihan, has said that Dublin should follow Cork’s lead and roll out the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme in city pubs and nightclubs. The initiative, which began in the UK in 2016, is aimed at giving people a discreet way of asking staff for help if…

Labour TD and spokesperson on the Arts, Joan Burton, has called on the Department of Justice, Minister for Arts and the Arts Council to ensure all those who work with children in the sector receive adequate Garda vetting. People working in the sector and parents of children should be fully informed and advised of child…

Labour spokesperson on Rural and Community Affairs, Willie Penrose TD, has called for the speedy introduction of legislation to raise the mandatory retirement age of public servants to 70 years, to provide certainty to those who want to work beyond the age of 65. Deputy Penrose raised the issue with the Minister for Public Expenditure,…

Commenting on the 2018 Action Plan for Education, Labour Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said that Minister Bruton’s latest Action Plan doesn’t take education staff into account. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “The 2018 Action Plan for Education has many fine ideas such as implementing a foreign language strategy, introducing computer science in schools…

Labour Party legislation to tackle infant school absenteeism will be debated during Private Members’ time in the Seanad this afternoon. The Bill aims to amend the Education Welfare Act 2000 that established the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) but which only applies to children aged 6-16 years. Currently children enrolled in a recognised school aged 4 or…

Labour Health spokesperson Alan Kelly TD has said the squabbling between the Minister for Health and his Department, with the HSE over health funding is distracting from delivery, and reveals the lack of commitment from the Department to delivering on Sláintecare. He has also called for the draft service plan for the year to come…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has said that the revelations around the feuding factions in Sinn Féin in Dublin North West suggest that the matter may be one for An Garda Síochána rather than the Sinn Féin National Executive. Deputy Howlin said: “The seriousness of the claims and indeed photographic evidence of an alleged assault…

The Labour Party in Carlow-Kilkenny is today mourning the loss of Seamus Pattison, former councillor, Mayor, Freeman of Kilkenny, Teachta Dála, Minister for State, MEP and Ceann Comhairle. The constituency Chairperson, Seán Ó hArgáin, speaking on behalf of members and supporters, described Mr. Pattison as ‘the essence of public service, integrity and selfless dedication to…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has expressed concern about the Brexit challege and speficially on the capacity of Prime Minister Teresa May to do any deal on Brexit   Deputy Howlin said: “I believe that a new British election is necessary to elect a Government with the authority and capacity to engage with the…

Commenting on the Government’s long-awaited publication of the report into bogus self-employment, Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton TD has said that Revenue could lose up to €60 million because of bogus self-employment. Deputy Burton commented:  “When I was Minister for Social Protection I commissioned this report into bogus self-employment because of representations from a number…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has extended his sympathy to the family and friends of former Labour Party TD for Carlow-Kilkenny TD Seamus Pattison. Deputy Howlin said: “It is with sadness that I’ve learnt of the death today of my great friend and colleague Seamus Pattison TD. “Seamus was a stalwart in the Parliamentary…

Commenting on the death of a man in Dublin City last night, Labour representative for Dublin Central, Joe Costello said: “The death last night of a man sleeping rough at Ryder’s Row not a stone’s throw away from the busy retail centres of Parnell Street and Henry Street is sad and tragic. We offer our…