Type: Press

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has said that home ownership must be a legitimate aspiration for single people. Highlighting figures released by the CSO today, Senator Moynihan said Government needs to stop basing housing policy on joint incomes. With more than 400,000 people choosing to live alone in Ireland, our housing policy must reflect the…

Welcoming the announcement of the Government’s Circular Economy Bill, Labour Senator Mark Wall said it is welcome that Government are listening to Labour’s national campaign to end the scourge of illegal dumping. The Government Bill provides for the use of CCTV and drone footage in the prosecution of such cases, and would be extremely useful…

Commenting on the Central Bank’s Financial Stability Review, Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash said:  “This has been an extraordinarily hard time on people and families. It’s clear from the Central Bank’s review that the economic supports for those impacted by the pandemic have been vital in absorbing the shock to households. The Government must now…

Labour children spokesperson Ivana Bacik has welcomed the publication of the ‘Childhood Paused’ report by the Children’s Ombudsman, and has called on Government to apply the findings to the development of its Catch Up for Children Scheme. Echoing the comments made by the Ombudsman, Senator Bacik said there cannot be a return to normal. The…

Yesterday evening, Labour Senator Marie Sherlock co-hosted a meeting with early years services from right across the country, along with Labour spokesperson on Children Senator Ivana Bacik. Speaking after the meeting, Senator Sherlock said:  “The Minister for Children needs to sit up and listen: the reality is that the new National Childcare Scheme is excluding some…

The office of the Data Protection Commissioner has confirmed to Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan that it shares our concerns regarding the collection of personal data for the purpose of viewing show houses. Senator Moynihan said: “The practice of requiring excessive financial information for people to view properties is wrong and potentially a breach of…

Double rent increase loophole still open to landlords Renters need a break With figures from the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) showing that more than 1,100 households that are renting were given eviction notices over the last 10 months despite a Government ban supposedly in place, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called for a comprehensive…

The Labour Party backed the campaign for 100% redress for those impacted by Mica in Donegal and the North West, and speaking in the Seanad, Labour Senator Marie Sherlock pledged support saying:  “The Mica crisis in Inishowen and other parts of the North West must be addressed. I have been going to Carndonagh regularly for…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has written to the Competition Authority following concerning reports of excess information being required by estate agents from first time buyers. Savills Estate Agents have asked for significant amounts of information, including “full proof of funds”, to show houses in Lucan. Senator Moynihan said: “I have written to the Competition…

Will everyone waiting have a date by mid-July? Are supplies confirmed? After raising again in the Dáil the need to reduce the 12 week gap between doses of AstraZeneca, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly criticised the Taoiseach for repeating previous answers, and called for public confirmation that those waiting for their second dose are now…

Following the publication of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report for 2019/2020, Labour Spokesperson on childcare and candidate in the upcoming Dublin Bay South bye-election, Senator Ivana Bacik has said that there is a clear and obvious need to move quickly towards a model of universal public childcare as costs continue to spiral in…

State should consider a repair and upkeep scheme for defibs All schools should have defibs installed Labour sports spokesperson Mark Wall has called on the Minister for Sport to urgently develop a national register of all defibrillators in the country. Speaking in the Seanad today, Senator Wall said the State must consider a repair and…

Labour’s new Land Bill due for debate in the Dáil on Wednesday would give local authorities the power to do CPO development land at its existing use value plus 25%. The Land Bill would enact key recommendation of the 1973 ‘Kenny Report’ that FG and FF have blocked for decades. Bill would tackle land hoarding…

Labour’s new Land Bill due for debate in the Dáil on Wednesday would give local authorities the power to CPO development land at its existing use value plus 25%. The Land Bill would enact key recommendation of 1973 ‘Kenny Report’ that FG and FG have blocked for decades. Bill would tackle land hoarding and speculation…

Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance Ged Nash has described today’s comments from the Tánaiste on income tax cuts as “standard election related kite-flying by Fine Gael” that “reveals the party’s obsession with Sunday morning headlines over real, sustainable policy development.” Mr Nash said that Ireland needed to engage in some serous thinking on economic matters…

Emergency Dáil debate needed as 480 jobs lost and regional connectivity devastated. Clairty needed on what was done to save PSO routes. Constant delay on antigen testing unacceptable. After Stobart Air ceased operations impacting 480 jobs and causing a devestating loss of regional connectivity, Labour Transport spokesperson Duncan Smith said the hands-off approach from government…

With Euro2020 finally kicking off, the Labour Party have published a new proposal calling for the creation of a transition year programme in participating schools to develop a football academy structure. The proposal was published by Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin together with Sports spokesperson Senator Mark Wall, and youth spokesperson Senator Ivana Bacik. Deputy…

Responding to the tenancy measures announced by the Minister for Housing today, Labour Housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said there were but that what’s proposed it will do very little to protect the vast majority of renters. Senator Moynihan said: “It sums up the failure of this government’s housing policy that this will be the fifth…

Labour’s employment spokesperson Senator Marie Sherlock has said that the memo from cabinet, while late, is welcome – but expressed serious concern over the impact of the Government’s sick leave proposals on low-paid and younger workers.   Speaking after the Tánaiste’s announcement, Senator Sherlock said: “While much of today’s announcement is welcome, it is also severely…

Amendment to set afforestation targets ruled out of order Speaking at the Committee Stage of the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021, Labour Party Agricultural spokesperson Seán Sherlock TD said that afforestation targets are a key part to delivering a successful bill. Unfortunately, an amendment on afforestation targets from Deputy Sherlock was…

Labour candidate in the Dublin Bay South bye-election, Ivana Bacik, today officially launched her campaign and outlined her priorities for Dublin Bay South. Joined by Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly, TD, and members of the Parliamentary Labour Party at Wilton Terrace in the constituency, Ivana Bacik said that housing, care, climate and community were the…

Responding to the Irish Independent report that parents are facing increased childcare costs of up to 20%, Labour spokesperson Ivana Bacik said there was an urgent need for a public childcare option, and called on the government to act. Senator Bacik said: “Childcare price increases of 20% are simply unsustainable for parents. It demonstrates again…

More information needed on how many will benefit. While it is welcome that there will be some movement to reduce down to 8 weeks the gap between AstraZeneca doses, Labour Leader Alan Kelly said that the public need more certainty on when this will be implemented and what the status of supplies are. Deputy Kelly…

Government rejects Labour amendment to make 20% of affordable housing available for single income households Speaking after a debate on affordable housing, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has said Government’s decision not to accept Labour’s amendment to make 20% of affordable housing available for single income households sets a dangerous precedent. Senator Moynihan said: “Our…