Type: Press

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed the publication by Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald TD of the Domestic Violence Bill, which contains measures on preventing and combating domestic violence, including enhanced protections and easier access to the courts for victims of abuse. Senator Bacik commented: “I particularly welcome the inclusion of measures to repeal the exemptions which…

Labour spokesperson on Jobs, Alan Kelly TD has today stated that he believes the Irish Government should consider holding a referendum on the final deal negotiated between the EU and Britain following Britain’s decision to leave the EU. He said ‘no one can predict how this will pan out. This has never been done before,…

Labour spokesperson on the Arts, Joan Burton TD, has welcomed reports that the Guinness family trust would ‘entertain all offers’ regarding the sale of Luggala Estate in Wicklow. It follows an Irish Times report today that an offer currently being considered regarding the sale of the 5,000 acre estate would accommodate custodian Garech Browne living…

Today at Leader’s Questions, Labour Party spokesperson on Finance Joan Burton raised the need for stricter rules on lobbying on tax matters. Deputy Burton also called on the Tánaiste to inform the Dáil how much extra the Government expected to raise in tax from vulture funds following the €158 million tax windfall from NAMA. “The…

Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly, has called on the Minister to do more to tackle the over-crowding crisis in our A&E departments, following warnings from the Irish Association of Emergency Medicine that up to 350 people could die this year if the crisis isn’t tackled. “As we know from the figures released from the…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Jan O’Sullivan has called on citizens to engage with the National Planning Framework to ensure a good and sustainable future for Ireland. “The National Planning Framework announced today must be radical if it is to make the difference needed to enable cities in the rest of the…

The German model of public banking, tried, proven and tested for over 200 years and in 40 countries worldwide provides the solution to a chronic credit shortage for small businesses and would test this Government’s real commitment to the regions and rural regeneration, according to Labour Senator, Denis Landy. Senator Landy said:  “The Sparkhassen public…

Cork TD Seán Sherlock has expressed serious concern at media reports from government sources that the M20 has been pushed down the list of priorities by the Government in the Mid-Term Review of the Capital Plan. “The last Government committed funding to conducting a feasibility study for the M20 route and that is underway,” said…

Labour Spokesperson on the Arts, Joan Burton TD, has called for the State to acquire the famous Luggala Estate, to ensure the public can continue to enjoy its beauty and attract tourists to the area. The Guinness family ancestry home in Co.Wicklow has been put on the market, with a suggested €28 million price tag….

Labour Party spokesperson on Dublin, Senator Kevin Humphreys has welcomed the decision by RTÉ to continue making children’s TV programmes. “It is really welcome news that RTÉ have come to an agreement with the RTÉ Trade Union Group and found the money to continue producing children’s TV shows in 2017. “Like many I was taken…

Labour Transport spokesperson Brendan Ryan has called on Fianna Fáil to accept the Labour addendum to their private member’s motion on Bus Éireann. Today on the Order of Business, Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin raised the need for greater protection for employees on insecure and low-hour contracts. If the Party that cut the minimum wage…

Willie Penrose, TD for Longford/Westmeath has called on the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and the IDA to outline how they plan to foster employment in Mullingar following Imperial Tobacco closing down. “In light of Imperial Tobacco closing down, it is vital now that we see high-quality jobs brought to Mullingar. “The Government has…

Labour Party Leader and Justice spokesperson, Brendan HowlinTD, has delivered to the Dáil clerk a Private Notice Question (PNQ) which demands that the Taoiseach Enda Kenny answer questions in the Dáil today on Irish participiation in the US pre-clearance regime. This is the first Private Notice Question to have been tabled in this Dáil and is…

The Irish Government needs to act now to ensure that Donald Trump’s immigration ban is put to a halt at Irish airports, according to Labour Youth Chairperson Kevin Donoghue. “Ireland already has a pretty disappointing record in supporting American foreign policy by letting U.S. warplanes refuel at Shannon airport. It seems now we should be…

Labour Leader Brendan Howlin has today called on the Taoiseach to confirm that he will not visit the White House on St. Patrick’s Day. “For decades, Irish Governments have been able to enjoy significant access to senior US politicians in the days around St. Patrick’s Day. This has allowed us to raise issues that matter…

Labour Disability welcomes the announcement by Lord Mayor Brendan Carr today that the ramp at the entrance to the Mansion House will be restored. This ramp was removed around 2012 and replaced with steps and a platform lift. Visitors to the Oak Room, Round Room or Fire Restaurant are forced to use either the steps…

Labour Limerick TD and Spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Jan O’Sullivan, has criticised the Government for not designating Limerick and Waterford as rent pressure zones. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “When I spoke in the Dáil before Christmas on the Government’s Housing Bill, I warned that the criteria to qualify for a 4 percent cap…

The Minister for Education and Skills today confirmed to Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin that providing free GP care to under-12s is no longer a priority for this Government. “Despite agreeing to provide free GP care to under-12s in October 2015, it is quite disappointing to see that the Government has made no progress on…

Labour member of the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD,  says the issue of the weight of schoolbags should be included in the Parents and Students Charter, which is due to be established in legislation this year. It follows a meeting of the Committee and the National Parents Council Primary, Post…

Labour spokesperson on Water, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has welcomed that the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has contacted the Attorney General on wording of a potential wording of a referendum on public ownership on water. “It is welcome that the Department of Environment has taken on board many of the proposals in…

Today in the Seanad, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has called on the four Sinn Féin MPs in Westminster to take up their seats in the British Parliament and fight for special status for Ireland in the upcoming Brexit negotiations. “Sinn Féin take over half a million pounds in expenses every year, it is now time that…

Labour TD and Chair of the Oireachtas Group on Reproductive Rights, Jan O’Sullivan, has urged women aged between 25 and 60 to avail of their free smear test for cervical cancer. “As this week is European Cervical Cancer Awareness Week, now is the perfect time to avail of free cervical cancer screening. “I was delighted…

Labour TD for Dublin West, Joan Burton, says a thorough review of security measures is needed at Dublin Airport following allegations of human trafficking into the State. Three people, including two Aer Lingus employees, are due to appear in court again next week in connection with the investigation. Deputy Burton said: “These arrests pose the…

Commenting on the announcement by Minister Simon Coveney of changes to the allowances and expenses of Councillors, Labour spokesperson on local government, Senator Denis Landy said that while some of the increases are welcome, the Minister is introducing a clear discrimination against city councillors and that overall Cllrs are unimpressed with the paltry gesture on…