Type: Press

Is Ireland really the most prosperous country in Europe? report highlights limitations of GDP as a measurement of economic and social development Highlights need for new metrics as contained in Labour’s Measuring Quality of Life in Ireland Bill  Forthcoming National Economic Plan must include commitment on robust ‘Quality of Life’ Indicators With one in four…

Women across the country continue to be invited for HPV tests through CervicalCheck, however many overwhelmed doctors are not in any position to offer the testing. Labour has called on the Government to prepare an online list of doctor’s who are providing this lifesaving service. Particularly in the context of watching Lynsey Bennet on the…

The Labour Party has received an answer to a PQ suggesting that legislation to introduce classism as a tenth prohibited ground of discrimination under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 will be delayed by the pandemic.  The Government must provide a timeline for the introduction of a Bill to prevent this form of discrimination.    In…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has criticised the failure of the Department of Education to issue guidance to schools reopening next Thursday. The ongoing failure to communicate effectively with those in the education sector continues to create challenges for students, parents and teachers alike. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “We welcomed the news that schools…

Potential homebuyers across the country are being denied drawdown of their mortgage by banks as their employer is availing of the EWSS Up to 300,000 workers and their partners may be affected, with more than 30,000 firms receiving the wage subsidy Minister for Finance must take urgent action   Speaking in the Dáil today, Labour…

Responding to the settlement of Lynsey Bennett’s case in the High Court, Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has said that it is wrong that women at the centre of the CervicalCheck scandal still have to go through courts to get justice. Deputy Kelly said: “My thoughts first of all are with Lynsey Bennett and…

Labour Spokesperson on Social Protection, Seán Sherlock TD, today urged the Minister for Social Protection to make plans now to deal with the impacts of Long Covid by adapting the enhanced illness benefit scheme to take account of their needs inclusive of the fuel allowance payment. Deputy Sherlock said: “We are seeing a growing phenomenon…

The practice of illegal dumping continues to damage natural environments throughout the country. Questioning the Minister yesterday, Labour Senator Mark Wall raised the issue of balancing data protection rights with deterring this type of behaviour. Local authorities must be enabled to address this harmful behaviour. Senator Wall said: “Illegal dumping is a scourge throughout the…

The Government continues to show its true colours on climate, and is marked by inertia on this crisis. Responding to the Government’s Climate Bill, Labour climate spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has welcomed the progress on addressing the climate crisis. While the Minister’s commitment to banning future oil and gas licences is welcome, it does not…

UK sequencing shows B117 strain is acquiring a mutation found in the Brazilian and South African variants. New strains have potential to reduce effectiveness of vaccines if not stopped. Need to aim to get to Zero Covid Labour Leader Alan Kelly has called on the government to act quickly to introduce a National Aggressive Suppression…

Fianna Fáil must clarify what term loan they’re changing for the cost-rental of accommodation in Shanganagh , Dún Laoighaire, announced yesterday. Labour housing spokesperson Senator Rebecca Moynihan has raised serious concerns with the costing proposed by Fianna Fáil. Senator Moynihan said: “Based on figures from the Fianna Fáil press release, they are expecting anyone accessing cost-rental…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD has praised the patience of the partners in education as special schools are set to gradually reopen from February 11th. The closure of schools continues to cause damage for all young people, and it is vital that those who need it most will return to in-class teaching in…

As insurers continue to evade questions on plans for customer refunds for this year, Labour finance spokesperson, Ged Nash TD, has called on all insurers to consider offering a rebate as a gesture of goodwill. Such a move would reflect the reality that insurers are processing fewer claims, as people continue to heed public health…

Reacting to the situation in Myanmar, Labour Party spokesperson on foreign affairs, Brendan Howlin TD, has condemned the actions of the Myanmar military in once again overturning a legitimate election and illegally detaining elected officials. Deputy Howlin said: “The military action by the Myanmar army is unjustified and is a serious breach of international law….

Labour spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik, has reiterated her call to fast-track Irish citizenship for the many non-National frontline workers putting themselves at risk of contracting Covid-19 every day through providing essential care services in our communities. Senator Bacik encouraged people to sign the #FastTrackCitizenship petition online, started by Dr…

Labour continues to call for mandatory hotel quarantine National Aggressive Suppression Strategy vital to reopen communities   Labour Leader Alan Kelly has welcomed the adoption of key components of its National Aggressive Suppression Strategy (NASS) by Minister Donnelly. Signing new regulations into law last night, Minister Donnelly introduced a ban on non-residents from travelling into…

Labour spokesperson on housing, Senator Rebecca Moynihan, has welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Housing in the UK that landlords will no longer be able to issue blanket bans on pets in rented accommodation. The new Model Tenancy Agreement states that a ban on pets should only be enforced when there is good reason,…

Labour spokesperson on the arts, Senator Marie Sherlock, has criticised the Government’s failure to extend the Covid-19 Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS) to sectors without permanent premises. The scheme, introduced to support businesses impacted by the restrictions, focuses narrowly on business with physical premises, excluding an arts and events industry that provides widespread employment throughout the…

UK have a ‘Tell Us Once’ Service for notifying a death to government bodies. Labour Party Social Protection Spokesperson Seán Sherlock TD has urged Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys to create a single portal to support family members when they have to engage with social protection and other public services after a loved one…

Tánaiste says it is intention to expand mandatory hotel quarantine as capacity and capability improves. Questioning the Tánaiste about Labour’s call for a national aggressive suppression strategy (NASS), Labour Leader Alan Kelly welcomed the positive engagement from the government to debate the pros and cons of the detail of such a strategy but urged them…

Speaking after the launch of research by SIPTU’s Big Start Campaign, Labour Spokesperson for Children, Senator Ivana Bacik has said: “‘We are a sector that is full of hope, but we are continually let down with every budget’ – the words of union activist Eilish Balfe ring true to the experiences of early years professionals…

Time must be allocated to climate debate in the Dáil Minister must urgently extend the status of the Climate Action Advisory Council As we continue to await the presentation of our Annual Transition Statement from the Climate Action Minister, Labour climate spokesperson, Duncan Smith TD, has called for the reintroduction of transition statements in the…

We need weekly data on how many doses we are receiving into Ireland. Daily Vaccination Figures must be consistently published. Breakdown of how many Covid-facing healthcare workers have been vaccinated must be published. Following questions to the Minister for Health today on vaccine rollout, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly repeated his call for full transparency…

Reacting to new funding arrangements for the early learning and childcare sector announced by the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality & Integration today, Labour Spokesperson for Children, Senator Ivana Bacik has called for greater clarity around the continuation of funding for services that are forced to close during Level 5 restrictions. Senator Bacik said: “I…