Type: Press

Speaking on behalf of Parliamentary Labour Party Narrow political self-interest has trumped fair play and sound policy, with compliant taxpayers squeezed in the middle in the deal hatched between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. It seems to me that the two priorities of this document are first to set out the ‘pre-nup’ for how this…

Number of people unemployed falls by 25,700 The Tánaiste and Labour Party leader, Joan Burton T.D., has welcomed new CSO data showing unemployment down to 8.4% in April, a drop of 1.3% since the same time last year. The number of people unemployed fell by 25,700 over the 12-month period.  The Tánaiste said: “When Labour…

Labour Party Senator Kevin Humphreys has called on the Minister for Health to intervene immediately in the dispute over the location of a new National Maternity Hospital. Senator Humphreys commented: “Further delays to a new National Maternity Hospital being built are completely unacceptable. I am calling on the Minister for Health to intervene immediately. “The…

I would like to congratulate Senators Ivana Bacik, Kevin Humphreys, Denis Landy, Ged Nash, and Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, all of whom won seats for the Labour Party in the 25th Seanad. The fact that we achieved a clean sweep, with all our vocational panel candidates winning seats, is testament to the work put in by…

It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of James Downey, and my sympathies today are with his wife, Moira and his daughters Rachel and Vanessa. Jim was without doubt one of Ireland’s finest journalists and he served as a distinguished newsman at local and national level for over five decades. In…

I have followed today’s proceedings with great interest. It has been reassuring to hear the general consensus across the House on this very important strategic issue for Ireland. Although the outcome of this referendum is for the people of the United Kingdom to decide, today’s debate has shown how the decision that they make will…

Speaking in Dail Eireann On Statements On EU/UK Relations Ceann Comhairle, In recent years, with the EU institutions appearing to be led more by head than heart, many people have begun to question the wisdom of the project. The fundamental importance of union has slipped out of view. There are people in this Chamber whose…

Speaking after today’s meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party The people in the course of the recent election gave a mandate to particular parties to go ahead and form a government, and eight weeks on, it is now incumbent on those parties to do just that. It is the view of the Parliamentary Labour Party,…

Willie Penrose TD has written to Tesco Ireland seeking them to withdraw their threat to unilaterally change their workers conditions of employment, including pay cuts. “I am calling upon Tesco to accept the invitation of the Unions representing workers to attend the Labour Court in order to resolve this dispute. They should also fully implement…

Labour Youth is launching a new campaign to end pay discrimination.The aim of this campaign is to end the sub-minima rates of minimum wage for young people, which sees young people paid a lower rate of minimum wage solely on the basis of their age. It also wishes to tackle the entry level pay for…

LABOUR YOUTH WELCOME THE ABSTENTION OF LABOUR PARTY TDS TODAY Following today’s vote in the Dáil for the next Taoiseach, Labour Youth welcomes the decision taken by Labour TDs to abstain from voting for Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny.  National Chairperson, Grace Williams commented, “Labour’s decision to abstain today is a positive step for our…

Members of the Parliamentary Labour Party today agreed that the Party would not be involved in the formation of the next government, and that the Party would not be a member of the next government. When it comes to voting for a Taoiseach, we will listen to what the various candidates have to say in…

In the general election, the Labour Party sought a mandate to continue implementing our policy in government – to continue the job of rebuilding our economy and our society. And we viewed it essential that Ireland have stable, balanced government to continue addressing entrenched problems such as health and housing that will take more time…

I wish to express my condolences to the family and friends of Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman SC who died suddenly earlier today. Adrian Hardiman was a significant figure in Irish public life, and one of the country’s leading legal brains. He had a close association with Irish politics and was a liberal voice on many…

I welcome today’s sentence of 18 months in jail for Thomas “Slab” Murphy for tax evasion. Justice has finally caught up with this notorious individual. For many years there have been substantial allegations that he is at the heart of republican activity – criminal and otherwise – in South Armagh. These allegations include matters far…

At its final press conference before the General Election, the Labour Party outlined its commitment to providing a fair and balanced government. Tánaiste Joan Burton, Minister for Public Expenditure Brendan Howlin, and Minister for Communications Alex White detailed Labour’s key manifesto commitments, including their pledge to: Cut USC for low and middle income people Invest…

Deputy Lyons has strongly welcomed the publication of Labour’s plans to tackle child poverty and disadvantage. “It’s so important that we target a serious reduction in child poverty. Labour’s proposals will make a real difference. Increasing Child Benefit by €15 a month will have a real impact on those parents struggling to get by. We…

West Cork TD, Michael McCarthy has welcomed the publication of Labour’s plan for an age-friendly society. “Labour’s plan to raise the State pension to €260 per week is a clear and direct investment in the living standards of older citizens. We want to continue to build a system where older people are supported to live…

“It’s all well and good for the far left to launch their repeal the 8th campaign, we’re glad they are supporting the issue, but only Labour can deliver on this. Labour supports the repeal of the 8th, and welcomes the growing consensus on this subject, however only Labour will realistically deliver and stand up for…

Most low and middle income families will be hammered under Sinn Fein’s regressive tax proposals announced today. Sinn Fein has pledged to retain punitive USC rates for all earners, bar those on less than €20,000. What that means in practise is that even when you take into account their populist proposals to scrap, water charges…

Minister Nash has welcomed the latest figures from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) which shows that the unemployment rate is now at 8.9% -its lowest level in seven years. The CSO figures for the fourth quarter of 2015 show that there has been an annual increase in employment of 2.3%.  This is the 13th successive quarter…

“Dublin is a crucial part of the country – economically, socially and culturally. I am proud that the Labour Party has set out clear objectives for the future of our capital. We can and will deliver a safer Dublin through more Garda recruitment and a new focus on community policing projects. Labour will also continue…

LABOUR WILL CONTINUE TO BOOST SPORTS FUNDING – Ó RÍORDÁIN Minister for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drugs Strategy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin today launched the Labour Party’s sports policy with former Ireland football player and manager, Johnny Giles. Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin commented: “Sport is at the heart of so many communities right across the…

“I welcome the analysis of the respected economist, Professor John Fitzgerald, that The Labour Party’s manifesto contains the strongest proposals for the protection of welfare recipients of any party in this election. This is consistent with Labour’s performance in government over the last five years, where we protected and maintained welfare payments at a time…