Type: Press

On International Women’s Day today, the Labour Senators have put down a Matter on the Commencement of the Seanad, calling on the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to make a statement on the proposed timeline for the introduction of gender pay gap legislation. This Matter will be taken this morning at approximately…

Labour Party Spokesperson on Arts & Culture Senator Marie Sherlock has expressed her frustration at the absence, five months on from Budget 2021, of any detail or clarity from the Department of Arts, Culture, Media, Sport in relation to the €50 million Live Entertainment Fund which had been announced to support the arts, culture &…

To mark International Women’s Day, the Labour Party has published its Women’s Manifesto, Labour: Working for Women, to shed light on the opportunities and difficulties faced by women in Ireland. By producing this evidenced-based policy document and vision for the future, the Party aims to better life for all women in Ireland. Announcing the manifesto,…

One law for ordinary people and another for high rollers Resignations a belated decision  Is Minister for Finance satisfied for NTMA to continue relationship with Davy? Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash has asked the Minster for Finance to give his views on the appropriateness of the National Treasury Management Agency’s (NTMA) relationship with Davy in…

In Ireland, there are 823 missing persons files open. However, there is no record of how many remains have been interred in cemeteries, or remain in morgues, as the current rules regulating coroners does not compel them to report unidentified remains to a central system. To redress this, Labour TD Duncan Smith has called on…

The Labour Party has today launched its “Sign Up A Sister” campaign, waiving fees for all new members signed up during the month of March by an existing member of the Party. The initiative is part of its wider campaign to celebrate International Women’s Day. In recognition that many women feel locked out from politics,…

Labour Senator Mark Wall brought a landmark Bill to the Seanad which would allow the use of CCTV in prosecution of offences relating to illegal dumping. The Local Government (Use of CCTV in Prosecution of Offences) Bill 2021 comes as a result of the increase in illegal dumping in Irish country sides. Launching the Bill,…

Today, Friday 5th March, Labour Seanad Group Leader, Senator Ivana Bacik will introduce the Labour Party’s Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2021 in the Seanad. If enacted, this Bill will amend the Adoption Act 2010 to provide adopted persons with the right to access their birth certificates. Senator Bacik said: “This afternoon in the Seanad…

Government need to bridge gap from proposed €40m to the over €200m sought National Sports Facility survey needed to identify facilities that need upgrading Labour sports spokesperson Senator Mark Wall has welcomed the record number of applicants  for the Sports Capital & Equipment Programme 2020. With over €200m sought by applicants throughout the country, Senator…

Responding to the publication today by the EU Commission of their proposed directive on Pay Transparency between women and men, Labour’s employment affairs spokesperson Marie Sherlock welcomed the long awaited publication. Senator Sherlock said: “Ultimately, gender pay gap legislation is only one of a series of measures necessary to reduce the gap in pay between…

As the aviation industry remains grounded, Labour transport spokesperson Duncan Smith has called on the Government to ensure any “Living with Covid” strategy includes a suite of measures to protect workers in the aviation industry. Deputy Smith criticised Government for failing to introduce Labour’s proposed national suppression strategy which calls for the inclusion of a…

Impact of Pandemic on Jobs and Towns must be addressed Concerns about redundancy entitlements for workers on PUP Questioning the Tánaiste at Leaders Questions today, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly raised the emerging national jobs crisis due to the pandemic, the impact on young people, the lack of certainty around redundancy entitlements for workers on…

Each child should receive a library membership card To encourage first trip, each child should get a Book-to-Keep from their library Opening hours should be extended to Saturday and Sunday  Celebrating World Book Day, Labour has called on the Government to invest in Ireland’s library network to improve access to books and literacy skills. Building…

Labour sports spokesperson Senator Mark Wall has thanked the Club Players Association for their work progressing change in the GAA and the sports community of Ireland. Having successfully achieved its goal to ‘fix the fixtures’, Senator Wall commended the impact of its work for generations of club players to come. Senator Wall said: “With news…

Central Bank must clarify if it plans to fine the Davy 16. Incumbent on regulator to formally disclose findings of investigation to An Garda Siochána. Foot-dragging on new Senior Executive Accountability laws inexcusable. Labour Finance spokesperson Ged Nash has called on the Central Bank to clarify if it plans to impose fines on the individuals…

Speaking today in advance of the RTÉ Investigates documentary on illegal adoptions, Labour spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik has spoken in support of the calls by Dr Conor O’Mahony, the government’s special rapporteur on child protection, for the urgent introduction of information and tracing legislation.  Senator Bacik said: “I share Dr…

Clarity needed if special tax rate of 89% will apply to future pay-outs? Minister for Finance acting on behalf of bankers not the people. Return to the speculative economy of the Celtic Tiger must be opposed. The decision by the government today to allow AIB to pay bonuses to staff at Goodbody, clearing the way…

The Labour Party has today published legislation to provide employees with up to 20 days leave for early miscarriage or other reproductive health-related reasons. Despite the immense progress that has been made towards greater equality for women in the workplace, many barriers remain preventing women’s full and equal participation. In particular, many women have lacked…

Labour Justice spokesperson Brendan Howlin TD added his voice to the calls for social media companies to act if their platforms are being used to organise far right violence, but said that a comprehensive response was required from the government to the rise of conspiracy theories, anti-immigrant sentiment, and anti-Covid protests that exploit fears and…

Speaking today in the Seanad on the Government’s Health (Amendment) Bill 2021, Senator Ivana Bacik spoke on behalf of Labour to voice critical support for the Bill. Senator Bacik said: “We in Labour do not believe that an appropriate balance has been struck with this Bill; it should go much further in restricting non-essential travel…

proposes a tenure mix of 40% social, 40% affordable/cost rental and 20% affordable purchase. calls on the Minister to increase the serviced site fund from €50,000 to €100,000 per unit. Speaking in advance of a meeting of Dublin City Council tonight, and the alternative housing plan they will propose for the Oscar Traynor Road site, …

Labour Party Spokesperson on Community and Rural Affairs Seán Sherlock TD has said that the named branches slated for closure by Bank of Ireland is an attack on provincial towns right around the country. If the Government really is committed to development outside of Dublin, it must intervene and stop Bank of Ireland ripping the…

Shuttering of 88 branches a massive blow to communities across the country Central Bank and Minister must act to pause closures during pandemic Move by bank a kick in teeth for loyal customers and staff Labour’s Finance spokesperson Ged Nash has described the announcement by Bank of Ireland of its plans to close 88 branches…

Labour spokesperson on Equality and Integration Senator Ivana Bacik has welcomed the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision published today, and has welcomed the positive proposals as representing substantive steps towards a more progressive international protection policy. The ‘how’ of implementation will be key, and Senator Bacik has made clear that Labour will engage constructively…