Type: Press

Labour Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Brendan Howlin has welcomed an agreement by EU leaders on rules to suspend budget money to member states that breach fundamental rights. The tool gives the European Commission the power to identify breaches of the rule of law in member states and to propose a suspension or reduction of budget…

Labour Senator Mark Wall has backed the campaign to make changing places mandatory in all public buildings. Senator Wall was speaking in the Seanad where he requested a debate with the Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien on the issue. Senator Wall said: “I am calling on the Minister to change the building regulations to make it…

The advice from the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre on the wearing of visors is confusing and incoherent according to Labour Leader and Health Spokesperson, Alan Kelly. Deputy Kelly was speaking after new guidance from the HSE said that visors may be an alternative to face-coverings in certain circumstances to protect against Covid-19 whilst also…

Speaking after it was announced that the Government are to complete a review of the company law as it relates to redundancies and insolvencies, Labour Spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Senator Marie Sherlock said that the review must not be a box ticking exercise.   Senator Sherlock said:   “While I don’t want to prejudge the…

Labour’s Education (Admission to Schools Bill) 2020 to remove the provision whereby 25% of school places are reserved for children and grandchildren of past pupils will be debated at second stage today. The Bill was introduced by Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin who said that access to education should not depend on who your…

Speaking on International Day against Bullying and Violence in schools, Labour Justice Spokesperson Brendan Howlin has reiterated the need for Labour’s Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill criminalising online harassment to become law.   Deputy Howlin said: “I introduced this Bill in response to a campaign from Jackie Fox after the tragic death of…

Labour Youth are today (November 5th) launching the Born Here Belong Here campaign for the reintroduction of birthright citizenship.  Speaking ahead of the launch of the campaign, Labour Youth Chair Adrian McCarthy said: “Since the introduction, and passing of the 27th Amendment by Fianna Fáil, supported by Fine Gael at the time, we have seen the disgraceful situation…

PCP customers caught in limbo In the Dáil today, Labour TD for Cork East, Seán Sherlock questioned the Taoiseach when the Government will bring forward legislation to regulate and protect customers on PCP contracts who are caught in payments limbo when they lost their jobs due to COVID19. Deputy Sherlock said: “Today I asked the…

Labour Transport Spokesperson Duncan Smith has welcomed a definitive commitment from Transport Minister Eamon Ryan to actively explore the creation of a testing regime at airports as part of a framework for travel from Red region countries. Deputy Smith said: “Minister Eamon Ryan confirmed that the Government are prioritising a framework for international travel and…

Cabinet decision to delay school-admissions reform for children of past pupils by a year is a cop out. Speaking after it was revealed that the Government have decided to delay school-admission reform for children of past pupils by a year on foot of the introduction of Labour’s Education Bill which would amend the School Admissions…

Proposed change to law gives Standards in Public Office Commission (SIPO) the power to investigate and sanction former politicians who breach lobbying and ethics rules Recent Fine Gael & Sinn Féin controversies shows need to strengthen the public office watchdog and promote transparency in politics and big business Bill provides for penalties including a Class…

Bill seeks to amend the School Admissions Bill to remove the automatic right of entry of past pupils as part of the admission criteria for school entry Labour’s Education (Admission to Schools Bill) 2020 seeks to amend the School Admissions Bill introduced by the previous Government to remove the provision whereby 25% of school places…

The Minister for Justice must ask the Gardaí to intervene and use the additional powers they have been given Labour Transport Spokesperson Duncan Smith has said that workers need to be protected from anti-maskers Deputy Smith was speaking after a number of disturbing videos appeared on social media showing anti-mask protestors intimidating commuters on public…

Motor insurance premiums up 35% between 2009 & 2019 with claims cost per policy falling 9% in same period. 10% rise in operating profits in 2019 compares unfavourably to average earned premium fall of 4% for consumers. Questions need to be asked about whether consumers have been ‘systematically fleeced’. Reacting to the publication of the…

Then Taoiseach provided confidential document to NAGP despite neither having a formal role in agreement. Special access to privileged information granted to friend of the Fine Gael Leader. IMO GP members did not approve agreement until 22nd May – NAGP had no role in acceptance of agreement Tánaiste cannot be involved in public sector pay…

Reacting to the report in Village magazine that the then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar provided a confidential copy of a state contract to the head of a rival organisation, Labour’s Enterprise spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said: “The now Tánaiste must make a statement in the Dáil on Tuesday and answer questions about the report carried in…

Minister needs to ensure budget investment goes towards housing first Speaking after the release of the Homeless Quarterly Progress Report and September monthly homeless figures which showed a slight increase on the number exiting emergency accommodation and a very slight decrease in the number of people homeless. Senator Moynihan said while the figures have stabilised,…

Minister needs to be appear before Education Committee Sanatiser debacle latest in long list of Dept foul-ups  Is the Department fit for purpose to lead 4,000 schools through pandemic? Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D has described the Department of Education as having serious questions to answer on its competency and whether it is…

Speaking after three people were killed in a terror attack in a church in Nice, Labour Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs Brendan Howlin has condemned the brutal attack. Deputy Howlin said: “As Labour Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs on behalf of myself and my colleagues in the Labour Party, I am revulsed by the horrific and barbaric…

Central Bank report published today shows around 100,000 mortgage holders could save over €1 billion in mortgage repayments by switching their mortgage, with available savings of €236 million estimated in the first year. Nash says that the Government is in ‘dereliction of duty’ by failing to inform consumers about the savings available through mortgage switching….

Reacting to news that the Government will enable survivors of Mother and Baby Homes to access their personal records under the GDPR, Labour Seanad Group Leader and Spokesperson for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik said: “News that survivors will be able to access personal data, following advice from the Data Protection Commission and…

Failure by Government to introduce airport testing is damaging the aviation sector   Labour Transport Spokesperson Duncan Smith T.D says urgent and decisive action is needed from Government to save aviation jobs after the news that Ryanair is to temporarily halt all its flights from the regional airports from November 14 to December 12. Deputy…

Donnelly should revoke his regulations setting up the Tribunal. Legally wrong for Department to say it cannot be reversed. Power available under Section 22 of Interpretation Act to repeal S.I’s. Responding to the statement by the Department of Health that the establishment of the Cervical Check Tribunal could not be reversed, Labour Leader Alan Kelly…

Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D has described the ASTI decision to vote for industrial action, up to strike, if a range of Covid-related safety issues are not addressed as a wake-up call for the Government. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “This a wakeup call for the Government and Minister Foley who have been continually…