Type: Press

Labour Transport spokesperson, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has called on the Minister for Transport Shane Ross to try to secure industrial peace in Irish Rail first before he seeks to apply his talents on brokering a settlement between North Korea and the United States. Senator Humphreys said: “Tomorrow a second day of industrial action will take…

Labour Party Environment spokesperson, Senator Ivana Bacik, has said the Government should have a long term-plan to ban non-compostable coffee cups as well as a coffee cup levy. This comes as the Minister for the Environment has said he plans to introduce a 15 cent charge on take-away coffee cups. Senator Bacik said: “As well…

Following the publication of details from the Paradise Papers, Labour spokesperson on Finance, Joan Burton TD has called on AIB and Bank of Ireland to come clean on the level of offshore tax avoidance they have facilitated in the past. The Government now also has questions to answer about this year’s tax amnesty for offshore…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD, has said it is shocking that both the Gardaí and the Government have failed to fill positions in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement. This comes after it was established by the This Week programme that a vacancy for a detective inspector position to head up the…

Labour Party TD for Longford/Westmeath Willie Penrose TD will introduce the Courts (Multi Party Actions) Bill 2017 in Dáil Éireann next week. This Bill will allow wronged tracker mortgage customers to take a class action suit, rather than them all taking individual cases against banks. Deputy Penrose said: “This unique Bill would seek to facilitate…

As the Citizens’ Assembly discuss how the State can respond to climate change, Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said that the public sector can set the lead on reducing our emissions, and installing solar panels on our schools is a good place to start. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “If we want…

Labour Party spokesperson on the Environment, Senator Ivana Bacik, has said that the State must not shirk from responsibilities on climate change.  This comes as the Citizens’ Assembly discusses the State’s response to climate change. Senator Bacik said: “I am very pleased that the Citizens’ Assembly is discussing the State’s response to climate change today….

Labour Party TD for Cork East and former Minister for Overseas Aid, Seán Sherlock TD, has criticised members of the Independent Alliance for their plan to go to North Korea to try bring world peace. Deputy Sherlock commented: “Another day, another outrageous attention seeking idea from John Halligan and his Independent Alliance friends. This is…

To mark the first anniversary of the election of US President Donald Trump this Wednesday, November 8th, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin is again joining with others in taking an ‘Irish Stand’ against his policies.  Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “This Wednesday makes the first anniversary of the election of Donald J Trump as the 45th President…

Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said local and central Government must drastically increase the level of inspection at registered rental properties, and move to clamp down on rogue landlords that are operating underground. It follows revelations in last night’s RTÉ Investigates programme of sub-standard living conditions in the private rental sector. Deputy O’Sullivan…

Responding to the latest Exchequer Returns, Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton TD, said: “Today’s Exchequer Returns to the 31st of October represent ten full months of the year, and  indicate that the economy continues to power ahead in terms of tax receipts, while expenditure remains somewhat behind profile. “Our economy faces a serious crisis in…

Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has expressed her shock at the appalling conditions of a number of rental properties in Dublin revealed in an RTÉ Investigates programme. Deputy O’Sullivan questioned whether there is scope for a criminal investigation into the matter if peoples’ lives were recklessly endangered due to fire safety breaches. Deputy O’Sullivan…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called on the Government to set out their plans for the future funding of higher education. This comes as the European Commission has stated that Ireland has the second highest level of third-level fees in Europe. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “The Government has been sitting on…

Labour spokesperson on Justice, Seán Sherlock TD has said the independent report published today into falsified breath tests and wrongful convictions by an Gardaí reinforces the need for a cultural change and improved oversight within the force. Deputy Sherlock said the Policing Authority must now be given the necessary power to implement change if we…

Labour Leader Brendan Howlin TD has again called on the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister to directly intervene in the Northern Ireland talks. It comes as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire has warned that unless talks progress a budget will be imposed on Northern Ireland when UK Parliament returns from their November…

Commenting on the launch of the ESRI study into the minimum wage in Ireland, Labour Party spokesperson on Employment, Senator Ged Nash has said that the Government must make moves to introduce a living wage. Senator Nash said: “One of the first tasks I gave to the Low Pay Commission was to undertake a major…

Labour Transport spokesperson, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has said that every possible effort must be made to avoid further days of travel chaos for Irish Rail passengers in the run up to Christmas. Senator Humphreys said: “It’s clear we have a complete breakdown in trust between both sides in this dispute. “Management needs to enter negotiations…

Labour Party Senator Ged Nash has said that RTÉ has serious questions to answer over the nature of its employment contracts and hiring practices. Senator Nash commented: “Revelations on RTÉ’s Drivetime programme yesterday evening on the use of bogus self-employment arrangements at the national broadcaster are extremely concerning. “According to the report, it appears that…

Labour Transport spokesperson, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has called on the Minister for Transport Shane Ross to facilitate talks between both sides in the Iarnród Éireann dispute in a bid to stave off industrial action. It comes as staff prepare to down tools for 24 hours from midnight in a row over pay, with further strikes…

Labour Party Health spokesperson Deputy Alan Kelly, has called on the HSE to provide a secure instant messaging solution following a report that 97 per cent of medical interns at University Hospital Limerick have been sharing patient medical information over Whatsapp. The report carried out by the Royal Infirmary Hospital in Edinburgh states that instant…

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Northern Ireland, Brendan Howlin TD, has called on the Taoiseach and British Prime Minister to both personally intervene to advance the stalled talks in Northern Ireland. Deputy Howlin said: “It is has been clear for some time now that the DUP and Sinn Fein will not by themselves do…

Commenting on the Catalonian declaration of independence, Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has said dialogue is needed between Catalonia and Spain. Deputy Howlin said: “I’m not in a position to comment on the rights or wrongs of a Catalonian declaration of independence. That is a matter for the Catalonian…

Following continuing controversy over the naming of the National Children’s Hospital, Labour Leader Brendan Howlin has today called on Simon Harris to put an end to the idea of the hospital being named the Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Deputy Howlin said: “It is unclear to us why so much was invested in an extensive process to…

Labour Party Leader and spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has welcomed remarks by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney, indicating that Brexit talks could not progress into trade or transition issues in December unless evident progress is made in relation to Irish issues. Deputy Howlin said: “In the House of…