Type: Press

Labour Housing Spokeperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has said that an independent inspectorate with the power to examine homes under construction is needed, to ensure that new builds adhere to proper safety standards. Deputy O’Sullivan made the comments ahead of a debate on a motion on building standards in the Dáil this evening. Deputy O’Sullivan said:…

Taoiseach,   This will be an important occasion for you, your first European Council, at a critical time in our country, and our European Union’s history.   It is unfortunate that as Brexit negotiations finally get underway, that the team that represents our country and the institutional knowledge they had in Europe has been completely…

Labour Women has condemned Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s failure to promote women in politics by appointing very few women as Ministers describing it as “a shameful decision which really shows our Taoiseach’s true colours when it comes to liberal values.” Speaking on the matter today Chair of Labour Women Sinead Ahern commented: “It is outrageously disappointing…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD has called on the Taoiseach to clarify whether he has confirmed that the payment to the Chief Whip of the Government over the last year and more was unlawful; when he will begin to recoup this additional allowance; and to tell the public which two of his four super…

Labour Seanad Leader, Senator Ivana Bacik, has outlined her disappointment with the lack of women sitting at the Cabinet table and being appointed as Junior Ministers. “It is quite disappointing for women across the political divide to see the lack of women promoted by Leo Varadkar at Cabinet and as Junior Ministers. “For a man…

Labour Party Leader and TD for Wexford, Brendan Howlin, has called on the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and Minister for Health, Simon Harris to ensure a mobile cath lab is in place for University Hospital Waterford. “Firstly, my thoughts are with the family of Thomas Power who died en route from University Hospital Waterford to Cork…

Following the publication of the Unicef Building the Future report, Labour spokesperson on Mental Health, Kathleen Lynch, has called on the Government to put more resources into early intervention programmes in our mental health services. “As a community it is essential we take care of the mental health needs of our young people. Most mental…

Senator Kevin Humphreys has welcomed the move by Fingal County Council to take enforcement action against those using their properties as full time AirBnB rentals without appropriate permission. The Labour Party spokesperson for Dublin has called on the new Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy to take action with new legislation and also ensure local authorities…

Labour Disability welcomes the campaign being launched today by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Brendan Carr and Dublin City Council to promote disability awareness in Dublin city. Chair of Labour Disability Mick Keegan commented: “We welcome the Lord Mayor’s disability awareness campaign and hope it makes people conscious of what it is like to try…

Labour Councillor for Limerick City East Elena Secas, is calling on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to condemn comments made by Fine Gael Councillor and soon-to-be Mayor of Limerick City, Stephen Keary, where he referred to Eastern Europeans and non-nationals living in Ireland as a “major drain on the State”. Councillor Secas said: “These comments are totally…

“Máire Whelan is a woman of immense ability. I have no doubt that she would sail through any objective process.  “Unfortunately, it seems that no objective test has been applied in this case. The way this has been done is absolutely wrong.  “Anyone who is qualified for a role such as this should have the…

Labour Leader Brendan Howlin TD, has called on the new Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, to outline how he will address issues surrounding the increased number of ‘super-junior’ Ministers. “In seeking to find ways to give a job to every Fine Gael TD that wants one, the new Taoiseach has further increased the number of ‘super-junior’ Ministers….

Labour Party Senator, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has called on the new Minister for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, to strongly consider the publicly funded option of the Cassels Report. “Firstly, I would like to wish Minister Mitchell O’Connor well in her new role as Minister for Higher Education. “The Government has been sitting on the…

Speaking in the Dáil last night, Labour Spokesperson for Agriculture, Willie Penrose TD, congratulated the new Government and outlined the actions they must take to improve life in rural communities in light of Brexit. “I congratulate the Taoiseach and his new Cabinet. I wish to focus on issues relating to rural Ireland and the need…

“We mourn with Katherine Zappone the loss of her beautiful wife and life partner Ann Louise Gilligan, social justice campaigner and lovely person. “Ann Louise was a champion for equal opportunity in Education during her time in St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra and for the wider Equality agenda in her work with An Cosán and in…

Labour Senator Ged Nash has said that hiking the National Minimum Wage and abolishing zero-hour contracts should be prioritised by the newly appointed Minister for Social Protection and Labour, Regina Doherty. The Labour Party spokesperson for Labour Affairs and Workers’ Rights, said: “Being on the side of people who get up early in the morning…

Senator Ivana Bacik, leader of the Labour group in the Seanad, today offered her condolences and sympathies to Minister Katherine Zappone on the death of her wife Dr Ann Louise Gilligan. Senator Bacik said: “It was my privilege to have got to know Ann Louise many years ago when representing her and Katherine in their…

Labour Party spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has offered her condolences to Katherine Zappone on the passing of her wife, Dr Ann Louise Gilligan.  “It was with deep sadness that I heard of the untimely death of Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan after she bravely fought a short illness. “Ann Louise was…

Leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, has offered his sympathies to Dr. Katherine Zappone and the Gilligan family on the passing of Dr. Ann Louise Gilligan. “On behalf of the Labour Party, I want to offer my deepest sympathies to Dr.Katherine Zappone and her family on the passing of her wife, Dr. Ann…

Labour Housing Spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has called on the newly appointed Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, to follow through on housing commitments made by the previous minister. Deputy O’Sullivan said the new Minister had been given a clean slate to tackle one of the biggest issues currently facing the Irish people- that of housing…

Labour Longford Westmeath TD, Willie Penrose, has welcomed the announcement that a special medal is to be awarded to the Irish soldiers who fought during the Siege of Jadotville in 1961. Deputy Penrose said: “This is a very welcome announcement that those soldiers who fought so valiantly during the Siege of Jadotville in 1961 are…

Following two announcements as in as many days demonstrating how the Eighth Amendment has yet again failed the women of Ireland, Labour Women is calling for the end of delaying tactics by the government to hold a referendum on repealing the Eighth Amendment. Chair of Labour Women Sinead Ahern commented: “Yet again after more horrific…

Taoiseach, I want to wish you well on your retirement as Taoiseach. Others, I have no doubt, will use the opportunity provided by this debate to attack you and your legacy. I won’t do that.  But neither will I embarrass either of us by presenting a hagiography of you! We served, of course, in two…

Labour member of the Oireachtas Committee on the Citizens’ Assembly, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has called on the incoming Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to commit to holding a referendum to repeal the Eighth Amendment. “For the second time, the UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that our current laws surrounding abortion are ‘cruel, inhumane, degrading’. This is…