Type: Press

Comments from Jan O’Sullivan, Labour Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, regarding the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill: “I welcome news that the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill will be published tomorrow, but I have concerns that it may not give people who have been adopted the full rights they are looking for. “I have…

Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys has called on the Minister for Communications to explain to the House why RTÉ has taken the decision to outsource its programmes for young people. Senator Humphreys, who raised the issue in the Seanad today, also described the move by the public broadcaster to switch coverage of the Oireachtas from RTÉ…

Labour Party Finance Spokesperson Joan Burton has welcomed the relaxation of the deposit rule for first time buyers but noted that problems still exist with the Central Bank rules. Home owners in negative equity who wish to trade up are still restricted. Rent payments are still not taken into account onability to afford a mortgage….

Labour spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Alan Kelly, will today launch a Bill aimed at boosting craft-beer tourism in Ireland by removing a major regulatory barrier for breweries, microbreweries, cider makers and distilleries. The Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016 would allow these businesses to sell their own produce to tourists and other…

Labour spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Alan Kelly, will tomorrow launch the Intoxicating Liquor (Breweries and Distilleries) Bill 2016, which is aimed at boosting craft-beer tourism in Ireland by removing a major regulatory barrier for breweries, microbreweries, cider producers and distilleries. Deputy Kelly will be available to speak to reporters at 11.30am on Wednesday,…

Labour spokesperson on Finance Joan Burton TD has welcomed the action of the Minister for Finance to adopt her proposed amendment to the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) in the Finance Bill. The HRI was being extended for a further two years and Joan sought a change in the law to extend eligibility to Council tenants….

Labour Party leader, Brendan Howlin, has commented on the 200-day anniversary of the Government. Deputy Howlin said: “This Government was put in place 200 days ago when Enda Kenny was re-elected as Taoiseach on 6th May. “Just 14 Acts have been passed since they took office, and just 20 this year in total. That compares to 66…

Speaking on UN Universal Children’s Day, Labour Spokesperson on Social Protection Willie Penrose TD said, “Over the last two weeks the Dáil has debated the Social Welfare Bill, which does nothing to address children living in poverty.” “This Budget has failed to provide any increases to the six payments that help families with young children…

Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan, says childcare workers shouldn’t be forgotten as the UN marks its annual Universal Children’s Day. Deputy O’Sullivan commented: “Today is a chance for us to reflect on our obligations to the world’s children as we endeavour to eradicate child poverty. At the heart of this, are…

Labour TD for Longford-Westmeath, Willie Penrose, has urged the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, to move to reopen the Killucan Railway Station in Westmeath. Deputy Penrose, who raised the issue with the Minister in the Dáil this evening, commented: “This station is the only stop in the 22 mile stretch from Dublin to Sligo and…

Labour Women has welcomed the cross party support for the Rogue Crisis Pregnancy Agency Bill being debated this evening, describing it as ‘one more step on the road to treating women in difficult circumstances with the respect and dignity they deserve’.   Chair of Labour Women Sinead Ahern commented: “As a young woman, I started…

Labour TD for Longford-Westmeath, Willie Penrose, has welcomed today’s announcement from the Minister for Education, Richard Bruton, that 111 primary and special schools in his constituency are to benefit to the tune of around €950,000 under the minor works grant scheme. Commenting on the figures, Deputy Penrose said: “I welcome that €641,520 has been allocated…

Speaking after the publication of Morgan McKinley’s Gender Pay Gap Ireland 2016 report Ged Nash, Labour Spokesperson on Equality and Labour Affairs has expressed his concern that the gender pay gap in Ireland now stands at 20%. Figures published by Morgan McKinley today shows that on average women earn 20% or €12,500 less than men…

Commenting on the failure to enact significant sections of the Children First Act, Labour Party spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs Jan O’Sullivan TD said: “This week marks the one year anniversary of passage of the Children First Act, and on Sunday we celebrate the UN Universal Day of the Child.” “I call on Minister…

Labour TD for Tipperary Alan Kelly has welcomed the U-turn from Minister Shane Ross today when he clarified that no railway line will close. “I welcome the confirmation from Minister Shane Ross in the Seanad today that no railway will close but it caused unnecessary fears across rural Ireland.” “Now that the Minister has caved…

Labour TD and vice chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Alan Kelly, says the North’s Deputy First Minister, Martin McGuinness, has questions to answer as to why he took such a hands-off approach to Project Eagle. During questioning before the PAC today, Deputy Kelly expressed his shock that issues of fundamental importance relating to…

The Labour Party’s Protection of Employment (Uncertain Hours) Bill has passed Second Stage in the Seanad. The Bill, which was drafted and tabled by Senator Ged Nash seeks to provide workers on “If & When” contracts with more certainty over working hours and better income security and legal protections. Senator Nash said: “I welcome the…

Labour TDs for Limerick City and Cork East, Jan O’Sullivan and Seán Sherlock have welcomed an investment of €1 million by Minister Shane Ross in the M20 project to connect Cork to Limerick.  Labour is committed to delivering on the M20 Cork to Limerick motorway, which we believe is crucial for the continued economic development…

Labour leader and spokesperson on Justice, Brendan Howlin TD, has welcomed the move by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny to disassociate himself from recent comments made by the Minister for Transport, Shane Ross relating to the judiciary. During Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil today, Deputy Howlin pressed the Taoiseach on whether he would publicly disassociate himself…

“While the setting up of this scheme is welcomed, it is just a patchwork solution, with more concrete measures needed,” according to Willie Penrose, Labour spokesperson on Agriculture, Food and the Marine. “It is not clear for example, how these measures will support the current crisis in the struggling mushroom industry. “As I said during the…

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin has today called on Shane Ross to put a stop to populist bombast, and focus on the real reforms needed to monitor judicial behaviour. “We need to distinguish between two rules. On the one hand, when a disciplinary hearing is being held into professional misbehaviour, it would be right and…

Labour spokesperson on Communications Seán Sherlock TD has expressed his disappointment at comments by Minister Naughten, that there will be further delays in the rollout of National Broadband Plan affecting homes and businesses across rural Ireland. “It is especially disappointing to hear Minister Naughten confirm on Morning Ireland that there will be delays to the…

Labour TD for Tipperary has slammed Minister Shane Ross for his total lack of strategy to support and invest in our rail services and called for him to immediately publish the review by the NTA and Iarnród Éireann. “It is incredible that Minister Ross is trying to find ways to shut down rural train services…

Labour spokesperson on Housing, Planning and Local Government, Jan O’Sullivan, will today introduce legislation to the Dáil, aimed at tackling the serious shortage in housing supply in Ireland and ensuring a stable and functioning housing market.  The Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016 includes measures to address key issues including affordability and supply, soaring rents…