Type: Press

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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:…

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:…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

HAP limits must be revised Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said the number of people living in homeless is a shameful inditement of government housing policy. With a record number of young people living in homessless, Senator Moynihan said without proper protections for people in the private rental market, Ireland will continue to experience record…

Labour finance spokesperson, Ged Nash has today (Wednesday, 27th April) said Government must step up and protect Ulster Bank and KBC customers ahead of the banks planned exit from the Irish market in order avoid the risk of chaos crippling basic bank transactions. Deputy Nash said: “Almost a million ordinary bank customers are in the…