Type: Press

Speaking during his Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill this evening, Willie Penrose has criticised Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for not supporting the Bill. “This proposed Bill, which is supported by Irish musicians across the country has one simple request – to insert a new section 65A in the Broadcasting Act 2009 to ensure that when an…

Speaking on a Topical Issue Debate on the shortage in substitute teachers, Labour Party spokesperson on Education Joan Burton TD said: “According to figures from the INTO this morning, there were only 36 substitute teachers available on their Subsearch facility today nationally. That compares to an average daily total of 400 in previous years. Today’s…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD, has expressed disappointment that the Government has still not provided the promised free school transport to children of homeless families living in emergency accommodation. Deputy O’Sullivan raised the matter with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Katherine Zappone, in the Dáil this afternoon. “Back…

In advance of the debate on his Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill on Wednesday 14th December in the Dáil, Willie Penrose has called on TD’s from all parties, and none to support Irish music. Deputy Penrose said: “This proposed Bill, which is supported by Irish musicians across the country has one simple request – to insert a…

Labour Party spokesperson for Dublin, Senator Kevin Humphreys has slammed the proposals to limit rents as too little too late. “The proposals from the Government today to allow rent increases of 4% a year are eight times the rate of inflation. “The Labour Party has published legislation that is to be voted on this week…

Hard-pressed renters will not be better off under the Government’s Strategy for the Rental Sector, according to Labour spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Jan O’Sullivan TD. Commenting on the plans unveiled by the Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney, Deputy O’Sullivan said: “By choosing not to link rent increases to the Consumer Price Index…

The Labour Party will today host a major international seminar on Brexit to discuss the ways in which Ireland may be impacted by the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. The event starts at 5pm at the Royal Irish Academy, Dawson Street in Dublin. Labour leader Brendan Howlin will deliver a key note address…

Labour spokesperson on Social Protection, Willie Penrose TD, is calling on the Government to improve the way self-employed people are treated in the social welfare system. Deputy Penrose said: “For too long I have been calling for these issues to be addressed, and with signs the economy is continuing to improve, not least with the…

Remarks by Joan Burton TD on Labour’s Social & Affordable Housing Bill “Housing is urgently needed in the Dublin area, as well as in other parts of the country. More houses need to be built for young people to buy, and as social housing, for renting and specific groups such as older people. “There is…

Labour Party spokesperson on Housing Jan O’Sullivan TD is calling for the support of TDs to help secure rent certainty as outlined in her Social and Affordable Housing bill. “This evening I will be moving the second stage of Labour’s Social and Affordable Housing Bill in the Dáil.” “Unfortunately the Government and Fianna Fáil have…

Commenting on the publication of the Creative Ireland programme,Labour Party spokesperson on the Arts, Deputy Joan Burton stated: “Although Creative Ireland is billed as the Government’s Legacy Programme for Ireland 2016 the total financial commitment is far below the amounts committed to the Arts in Ireland 2016. “While I welcome in particular the publication of…

Brendan Ryan, Labour Transport spokesperson, has described Minister Shane Ross’ intention to lower Ireland’s Transport emission targets as bad news for Climate Change and Justice in Ireland. In the Dáil, Deputy Ryan asked the Minister for an update on whether Ireland would reach its emission targets by 2020, as set out in the national smarter…

Labour Leader Brendan Howlin has criticised Gerry Adams for failing to provide open and honest answers that the Stack family deserve when he made his statement to Dáil Éireann this evening. Speaking afterwards, Deputy Howlin said: “What we saw in the Dáil today was the type of obfuscation we have become accustomed to hearing from…

Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has urged the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, to provide Orkambi to Cystic Fibrosis patients. Deputy Kelly said: “It is unacceptable that the National Centre for Pharma Economics and Vertex have not been able to come to any agreement with the HSE in relation to the use of…

Labour LGBT has warmly welcomed the two Bills that were launched today by the Labour Party to address ongoing discrimination being faced by members of the LGBT community. Co-Chair of Labour LGBT Niamh Hayes commented: ‘Today two Bills were launched by Senators Ged Nash and Ivana Bacik to address two outstanding issues being faced by…

Climate Change Spokesperson Sean Sherlock has called on Minister Denis Naughten to clarify what the position is for customers of waste contractors outside of the IWMA agreement that was set in motion last July. “Customers who are not able to switch providers are being charged by pay by weight with no consideration being given for…

Labour Party Communications Spokesperson Seán Sherlock TD has raised concerns on the possible increase in cost to individuals and businesses right around the country following Minister Denis Naughten’s decision to review legislation on the cost of the postal service. “Minister Naughten needs to consult widely with small and medium businesses on the potential increased costs…

Labour Equality has described two Labour Party Bills aimed at furthering LGBT rights as ‘a further demonstration that Labour will continue to lead the way on LGBT rights in Ireland. Chair of Labour Equality Padraig McLoughlin commented: ‘Today two Bills have been launched that if passed will help to address the continuing effects of recent and…

Labour spokesperson on Equality, Senator Ged Nash, will today introduce a Bill to the Seanad that seeks to have the state recognise the need to exonerate and apologise to gay men who were convicted of sexual offences before 1993. The Conviction for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016 states that the convictions are…

Senator Ivana Bacik will today launch the Pensions (Equal Pension Treatment in Occupational Benefit Schemes) (Amendment) Bill 2016 and introduce it to the Seanad on Wednesday. This Bill seeks to address the small number of cases where retired employees who were legally not permitted to marry persons of the same sex before a particular date…

Commenting on the publication of the draft Bill to introduce a new Parent and Student Charter, Labour spokesperson on Education, Joan Burton TD, said: “It is most welcome that legislation providing for the operation of a Parent and Student Charter has finally been published, since it was first committed to by former Labour Education Minister…

Deputy Willie Penrose, Labour Party spokesperson on Social Protection today said: “The decision by Independent News and Media (INM) to wind down it’s defined benefit pension scheme highlights the need for the pension rights of workers to be defended and protected. “Any fair minded person will agree that it is wrong that shareholders will profit…

Speaking ahead of Labour’s Private Members Bill on Social and Affordable Housing, Labour’s spokesperson on Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan has called once again on the Government to use the increasing number of vacant properties as a solution to the housing crisis. “The 2016 Census tells us that there are more than 198,000 vacant dwellings…

Commenting on the publication of figures documenting the number of assaults on staff in HSE run hospitals, Labour spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD said: “The shocking figures published in today’s Irish Examiner showing nearly 3,500 assaults on healthcare staff in HSE run hospital over recent years highlights the need for a zero tolerance approach…