Type: Press

Reacting to the latest figures showing over 8,000 people as homeless, inclusive of nearly 3,000 children, Senator Kevin Humphreys has called for urgent measures to address this including tackling the number of properties lost full time to AirBnB, and immediate measures to bring vacant properties back in use. Senator Humphreys said: “With the level of…

Labour spokesperson on Finance Joan Burton TD has welcomed the move by the Government to repay some of the bailout loans to secure interest savings but cautioned that it was now time that the Irish people saw the benefits from the savings on the national debt. Deputy Burton said: “The availability of low interest loans…

Speech by Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin at Selection Convention for Sen. Kevin Humphreys, Dublin Bay South Constituency, 7.30pm Wednesday 6th September. Last weekend the mask slipped. Fianna Fail demanding tax cuts – for builders and developers. It’s as though the last ten years never happened. As though tax cuts can be a substitute for…

On foot of the continuing fall in the value of Sterling, Labour Party spokesperson Finance Joan Burton TD has requested the Oireachtas Select Committee on Enterprise to examine what steps can be taken to avoid unnecessary loss of trade for Irish retailers and VAT income for the Exchequer. In a letter to the Chair of…

Labour spokesperson on Finance, Joan Burton TD, has said today’s positive Exchequer returns figures would allow for vital spending in areas such as Housing and Health in the upcoming Budget.  Deputy Burton commented: “Today’s Exchequer figures are the second last returns before the budget in October. As such they indicate an economy that is on…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris to publish a plan to address the severe over-crowding in our hospitals. Deputy Kelly commented: “The latest Trolleywatch figures show that during the month of August 7,781 people lay on trolleys. This figure is the highest we have seen…

Labour Party spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has called on Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD to say whether he has confidence in his Junior Minister Finian McGrath following his comments on the HPV vaccine. Deputy Kelly commented:  “It is completely unacceptable for a minister at the Department of Health to put anti-HPV vaccine…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Sean Sherlock has said that the failure of the Government to implement a cap on childcare costs means that the value of the new universal subsidy is being eroded for parents. The Government was warned this would happen, and should have implemented a cap on costs for parents….

Labour Party spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD has said that legislation first proposed by Labour last summer would have refocussed NAMA’s efforts on the provision of housing. It follows reports today that the Government is considering setting up a semi-state body to oversee house building as a means of tackling the crisis. Deputy O’Sullivan…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has outlined his support for the HSE’s Protect our Future HPV vaccine campaign and has condemned the comments of his constituency colleague Deputy Mattie McGrath. Deputy Kelly commented: “This week, more than 30,000 young girls started secondary school and are due to receive the HPV vaccine in the…

Labour leader Brendan Howlin has described the Taoiseach’s Strategic Communications Unit as a vanity propaganda project, and a means of providing further communications advice to the Taoiseach without properly appointing special advisers. Deputy Howlin said: “Never before has the establishment of a communications unit been handled with so much secrecy. We have been told who…

Former Dublin Lord Mayor and City Councillor, Brendan Carr, has renewed his call for the introduction of a hotel bedroom tax following the release of new statistics which indicate the sector is booming. Cllr Carr said: “A new independent survey by accountancy firm Crowe Horwath indicates that the average profit on each hotel room in…

Labour spokesperson on Social Protection has criticised the Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty for stating that she will not seek weekly increases in the Budget for those who aren’t pensioners. This follows recent mixed messages on what will be in the Social Protection Budget package in October. Senator Nash said: “Another summer is drawing…

Labour Party spokesperson on an Ghaeilge, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has slammed the move by Bank of Ireland to remove the Irish language option from their ATM services. “I am very disappointed to learn that Bank of Ireland are planning on removing the Irish language option from their ATMs across the country. “For many years,…

Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys has criticised the renewed speculation that Irish Rail may close up to four train lines to secure savings. Senator Humphreys said: “There is a clear need for increased investment in our rail stock. The financial challenges in Irish Rail won’t be resolved by closing four rail lines. “Shane…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has expressed his sadness on the sudden death of former Wicklow Councillor Conal Kavanagh. “I was deeply saddened to hear of the sudden death of Conal Kavanagh on Sunday. I want to extend my deepest sympathies to his wife and their children, his father, mother and sister. “Conal had been…

Labour Spokesperson on Affordable Housing, Joanna Tuffy has called on the Government to bring in a National Affordable Housing Scheme in time for the development of the Clonburris SDZ in Clondalkin. Ms Tuffy said: “There is an urgent need now for an affordable housing scheme as large scale developments begin across Dublin and the rest…

The Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD has welcomed the policy shift by the British Labour Party on Brexit, but highlighted that even those softer arrangements would be disruptive to our island, and that the Conservative Government remains committed to a hard Brexit. Deputy Howlin said: “This is a welcome development today by the British…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said yesterday’s online mortgage advice for young people by Bank of Ireland reflects the grim reality of the housing and rental market. The since deleted tweet promoted the story of how one young couple had to move back home with their parents in order to save for…

Labour spokesperson on Justice, Sean Sherlock TD has highlighted a growing problem that will impact on many Irish citizens currently living in the UK when Brexit happens. The Minister for Justice should consider now amending the rules of naturalisation for those who may wish to take Irish citizenship if married to an Irish citizen in…

EMBARGOED UNTIL 00.01 TUESDAY AUGUST 22nd 2017 Labour spokesperson on Housing, Jan O’Sullivan TD, reacting to the latest Daft report has said that it shows the absolute failure of the Government’s Rent Pressure Zone model to slow the pace of increases in the rental market. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The latest Daft.ie report on quarter 2…

The annual Labour Party think-in will take place on Sunday and Monday the 10th and 11th September 2017, at the Clanard Court Hotel in Athy, Co. Kildare. As space is limited, rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis. What: Labour Party think-in When: Sunday 11am, 10th September 2017- Monday lunchtime, 11th September 2017…

Labour spokesperson on Equality, Cllr Deirdre Kingston, has expressed her disappointment at the lack of information surrounding the public consultation process to tackle the gender pay gap. The Government announced earlier this month that employers, trade unions and members of the public would be invited to have their say on the issue over a six…

Labour Party Education spokesperson Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has congratulated the Leaving Certificate class of 2017 on receiving their results. Senator Ó Ríordáin commented: “Today marks an important milestone in many young people’s lives as they receive their Leaving Certificate results. Today represents the culmination of many years of hard work for students and their…