Type: Press
A date for constitutional change in 2023 must be set
Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik has today (Wednesday, 13th July) called on the Government to urgently proceed with the necessary preparatory work, including the setting of a provisional polling date in 2023, for a referendum to remove outdated gender stereotypes from the Constitution. The call comes following the publication today of the report of the…
Read more »Certainty needed on Defence Forces pay and conditions if extra investment is to have an impact
With the Cabinet due to approve a long term increase in Defence Forces spending, Labour Party spokesperson on Defence, Senator Mark Wall, said that delivery of better pay and conditions will be essential if ambitious recruitment targets are to be met. Senator Wall said: “To implement key recommendations from the report of the Commission on…
Read more »Government must get serious on right to flexible work
Labour employment and workers’ rights spokesperson Marie Sherlock insisted that Government must get serious about strengthening remote work legislation, including the right to flexible work from the start of employment, or risk undoing the gains made by working people throughout the pandemic. Speaking following the publication of the Joint Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment’s…
Read more »Labour’s Diversity in Broadcasting Bill would ensure better representation of diverse voices
Labour arts and media spokesperson Marie Sherlock said the time has come to amplify the voices of women and people of colour on our radio stations. Launching her Diversity in Broadcasting Bill today, Senator Sherlock said making it onto a playlist can be a life changing experience for artists, however there are many great female…
Read more »Bacik calls for positive action on gender equality
Delivering the opening address this morning at an AHCPS (Association of Higher Civil and Public Servants) seminar on women and leadership post-pandemic, Ivana Bacik TD addressed the topic of gender quotas as a way of improving women’s representation in Irish politics and across public and private sectors. Outlining the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on…
Read more »Removal of all hospitals charges must be in Budget 2023
Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today said that the removal of all in-patient hospital changes must be included in Budget 2023. Speaking on the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, Deputy Smith said: “Any measures that will reduce the cost of healthcare is to be broadly welcomed. However, we believe the abolition of in-patient charges…
Read more »Families can’t take a summer of budget kite flying
Labour finance spokesperson Ged Nash has demanded that government commit to bringing forward a budget to this summer in recognition of the real financial crisis many families are facing right now. Deputy Nash said families have been left behind and let down by the government and need serious intervention before the back to school costs…
Read more »Government must prevent ‘summer of discontent’ across community sector
The Government should immediately engage with trade unions representing workers in the care and community sector following the announcement of industrial action across the sector, beginning next month, according to Labour spokesperson on health and disability, Duncan Smith. “At the weekend SIPTU members in the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) announced that they would conduct a…
Read more »Labour to protest decision to overturn Roe v Wade on Sunday 26th June at US Embassy
The Labour Party will protest the decision to overturn Roe v Wade at 5pm on Sunday, June 26th, at the US Embassy Ballsbridge to express solidarity with all the women and girls who will be so severely impacted by this horrific step back for women’s rights. What: Protest at US Embassy Who: Labour Leader Ivana…
Read more »30% year on year increase in homelessness – private rental market protections needed
Labour housing spokesperson said the 30% increase in homelessness in the past year is deeply concerning. Calling for the implementation of an emergency eviction ban and a rent freeze, Senator Moynihan said every step must be taken to stop people entering homelessness from the private rental market. Senator Moynihan said: “The lack of affordable homes…
Read more »Time to end blanket ban on pets in rented accommodation
Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill would end restrictions on renters Marking Dog Friendly Ireland Day, Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called for a ban on landlords prohibiting pets in rented accommodation. Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill would end this blanket ban on pets which would enable renters to make their house their home. Senator Moynihan said:…
Read more »Richmond Road closure demands govt action on artists’ spaces
Labour arts spokesperson Marie Sherlock has said the closure of Richmond Road studios today (Thursday, 23rdJune) marks a sad day for Dublin and the artists’ community. With 20 artists’ studios in Dublin closing over the past 10 years, Senator Sherlock said government must put a strategy in place to support artistic workplaces. Senator Sherlock said:…
Read more »Leaving Cert result date an unnecessary delay for students
Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has sharply criticised the Minister for Education, Norma Foley, for the unnecessary delay in publishing the results of Leaving Cert 2022. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Providing Leaving Cert results on Friday, 2nd September is an unnecessary delay at the start of the academic year and will only serve to…
Read more »Minister must intervene to settle Covid test centre swabbers pay dispute
Labour health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Thursday, 23rd June) challenged the Minister for Health, Simon Donnelly to step up and resolve an escalating dispute between SIPTU and public health service management over a review of pay rates for Covid test centre swabbers. Deputy Smith said: “It is utterly unacceptable that the HSE and Department…
Read more »Bitter pill of public sector pay restoration for the highest paid means public sector talks must restart now
Commenting on the public sector pay restoration, Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock has today (Wednesday, 22nd June) said Government must urgently re-start public sector pay talks and put adequate pay increases proposals on the table for low and middle paid public sector workers. Senator Sherlock said: “Public sector unions have rightly said they will not…
Read more »Bacik demands debate on An Bord Pleanála
Labour leader Ivana Bacik has called for a debate regarding serious allegations about An Bord Pleanála. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Bacik said the drip feed of information is unacceptable. With summer recess approaching, the Labour Party is calling for a Dáil debate on this crucial matter. Deputy Bacik said: “The lack of clarity and…
Read more »RespectForSNAs campaign must be acted on by Minister
Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today (Tuesday, 21st June) called on Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Deputy Josepha Madigan, to clarify her position on basic qualifications and accreditation for Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) as a matter of urgency. Deputy Ó Ríordáin was speaking at a meeting of the Joint Committee…
Read more »2007 law on maximum price orders must be used to help struggling households through cost of living crisis
Regulators missing in action on escalating price rises European Commission has confirmed energy caps are an option for Ireland Enterprise Committee hearings on maximum price orders requested Labour’s Finance and Public Expenditure spokesperson Ged Nash has criticised the government for failing to use the laws available to help manage the cost of living crisis. Deputy…
Read more »ESRI report confirms Labour call for enhanced fuel allowance system
Fuel Allowance means-test threshold must be increased and half rate payment introduced. Responding to the ESRI report showing almost a third of households in the State are experiencing energy poverty, Labour Social Protection spokesperson Seán Sherlock TD said it confirmed the Labour Party call for a reformed fuel allowance system to help those on fixed…
Read more »Workers can’t wait for a living wage says Sherlock
Government pushing Living Wage commitment beyond lifetime of its term in office is unacceptable Labour employment and workers’ rights spokesperson, Marie Sherlock has today (Tuesday, 14th June) sharply criticised Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar over meek proposals to introduce a Living Wage in Ireland on a phased basis by 2026. Senator Sherlock…
Read more »Promise of “free hot desks” doomed to fail without a proper right to flexible work
Labour Party spokesperson on employment and workers’ rights, Marie Sherlock, has today (8th June) said the shockingly low uptake of “free hot desks” to support remote working is down to the Government’s failure to take remote working seriously and legislating for a right to flexible work. Senator Sherlock said: “The Government announcement of 10,000 free…
Read more »Real and meaningful action needed now from Government to support hard pressed workers and families
Government must act now to support all wage earners. An increase in small benefit exemption an easy and meaningful first step Reacting to reports that there will be no meaningful action before October to address the spiralling cost of living, Labour Senator Marie Sherlock has today (Wednesday, 1st June) said the Government cannot keep hiding…
Read more »Fight for better pay and conditions for PDFORRA members bolstered
Labour defence spokesperson Mark Wall has welcomed the granting of associate status of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions to PDFORRA. As a supporter of PDFORRA’s campaign to join with ICTU, Senator Wall said this move will be essential as members of the Defence Forces seek better pay and conditions. Senator Wall said: “Labour has…
Read more »HPV catch-up programme should be more broadly available
With the HPV vaccine now due to be made available to women up to age 25, Labour Health spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has said the Minister should ask NIAC to assess if it should be made available for women up to the age of 45. Deputy Smith said: “The HPV catch-up vaccine programme should be…
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