Type: Press

Senator Ivana Bacik is today tabling a question for the Minister for Justice and Equality in the Seanad, seeking clarification on the incidence of cases of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ireland. Senator Bacik will put this question in the context of recent reports that an act of female genital mutilation (FGM) carried out upon…

Questioning the Taoiseach today, Joan Burton outlined her dismay at the lack of women appointed to the Ervia Board. In July four members were appointed to the Board of Ervia- all of these were men. Speaking after Questions to the Taoiseach, Deputy Burton commented: “In the Programme for Government, the Government committed to increasing female…

Brendan Howlin, has described as a “stunt” Fianna Fáil’s opposition to the agreed proposal of the business committee in relation to Dáil sittings, drawing into question it’s viability. “This was one of the central planks of Dáil Reform aimed at delivering the new politics that Micheál Martin had demanded when this Dáil first sat after…

The Government has done a complete reversal on its own position in the Programme for Government through a move to block a Dáil vote on a Bill to repeal the eighth amendment, says Labour Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan. “The drafting of the programme clearly set outs the ‘right and ability of…

A month ago the Seanad passed a Labour Party motion calling for the re-establishment of an Employer-Labour Conference. The proposed body would complement and support the work of government and current industrial relations institutions, and is aimed at promoting industrial peace and stability. All too often the State’s industrial relations machinery is mobilised in crisis…

Action is needed to accelerate the payment of the Basic Payment Scheme for 10,000 farmers according to Labour spokesperson on Agriculture Willie Penrose TD. “Farmers are facing into the winter period after a difficult summer and autumn and the uncertainty of Brexit. It is unbelievable in this day and age that the Department of Agriculture…

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Good evening. Welcome to the first of the regional meetings that will take place across the country between now and March. These meetings build upon a series of meetings I have attended at branch and constituency level over recent months. Tonight, I want to speak about the work we are doing to…

Brendan Howlin has said today that an attempt by the Government to use a technical motion to block a vote on repealing the 8th amendment are unprecedented in recent times and an effort to muzzle the Dáil. “This is another nail in the coffin for so called new politics. “Once again this do nothing Government…

The proposal in section 54 of the Finance Bill has been described by Labour’s Spokesperson on Finance, Joan Burton, as in effect, an amnesty for tax defaulters using offshore and overseas tax havens to avoid paying their legitimately due taxes in Ireland. According to Deputy Burton: “By delaying the implementation date to the first of…

Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed the all party support in the Seanad for the Labour Party motion on Syria, and today questioned the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the delay in resettling Syrian refugees. She said “I share the grave concern and outrage of Irish people at the appalling bombardment of civilians in Aleppo. As…

Labour TD Joan Burton has called on the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to clarify the number of possible outcomes to be considered following the work of the Citizens’ Assembly regarding the 8th amendment. It’s after the Taoiseach said there were more than two possible outcomes, during questioning from Deputy Burton in the Dáil today. When asking whether…

The Labour Party will today formally introduce a Bill to Dáil Éireann designed to tackle the behaviour of rogue crisis pregnancy agencies. The legislation would for the first time, require that those who provide counselling to women experiencing crisis pregnancies be registered and regulated. The issue, which is something Labour Women have campaigned on for…

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Ceann Comhairle, Tonight, in simple terms, we are debating whether education really matters. Extraordinarily, a week after the Budget, the Government still can’t confirm what date next year social welfare increases will come into force. Lest people think this is a minor detail, each additional week costs €7m or so, according to…

Labour Party leader, Brendan Howlin, along with Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan, will be available to speak to the media tomorrow on the plinth at Leinster House, before the party formally introduces its Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2016, which is designed to tackle rogue pregnancy agencies in Ireland. Date:…

Labour Spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly, has called on the Government to consider measures to allow private hospital facilities to be used by the State this winter in the event of a flu epidemic. It’s after the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, under questioning from Deputy Kelly in the Dáil, agreed it was a good…

Labour Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan TD, says the issues raised in a HIQA report on foster care services in the Midlands published today, need to be addressed. During inspections carried out in May, HIQA found that none of the 26 standards assessed were met; 20 needed improvement, with significant risks identified…

I was saddened to hear of the sudden death of Munster Head Coach, Anthony Foley. My thoughts first and foremost are with his wife Olive and his family. Anthony was an iconic figure in Munster and Irish rugby. His loss is tragic to Munster and Irish rugby fans across all the world. The vigour Anthony…

On Tuesday 18th October, the Labour Party will table a motion during Dáil private members time on Tuesday evening to seek to address the lack of funding committed to education in Budget 2017. The motion particularly focusses on reducing class sizes, tackling school costs for parents, funding higher education, and the roll out of new…

A new survey has found that 74 per cent of Dubliners polled would favour a directly elected mayor of the city, if a referendum was held. More than 500 people living across Dublin, and aged 18 and over, were interviewed by polling company Ireland Thinks in September. The research found that support for a directly…

Former Minister for Overseas Development Assistance, Seán Sherlock TD, has called on the Government to clarify its position in relation to the resignation of Mr Barry Andrews as CEO of GOAL. “GOAL is partly funded through Irish aid. Notwithstanding the suspension of funding to GOAL by Irish Aid pending the outcome of the USAID investigation…

Despite being touted as the centrepiece of Budget 2017, the Government’s childcare package has failed to deliver the best possible outcome for children, says Labour TD and Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Jan O’Sullivan. “There was much hype that children would be the main beneficiaries of this year’s Budget, but as more details become…

“Since last Friday I have been raising concerns about the magical appearance of an extra €200 million for the overall Budget package. It is astounding to suddenly hear the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin enquiring today as to where the extra fiscal space came from. For the last few weeks they have led us all…

Labour TD and Spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, Seán Sherlock , has highlighted how thin the Government has spread the ‘fiscal space’ in the Budget announced yesterday. “The immediate aftermath of a Budget announcement tends to focus on top-line figures in the areas of Social Protection and Excise Duties, along with some media friendly…

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY Earlier this week, in a newspaper article, I made two predictions.My first guess was that Minister Donohoe would wear a blue or a purple tie.My second was that this Budget would not be regarded as fair, progressive, or even sensible.I take no joy in being right on both fronts.For the first time…