Type: Press

  Ministers must be accountable to the Dáil but deliberately withheld answer on Leaving Cert.   The Minister for Education must address the Dáil on Tuesday over the three week delay in issuing Leaving Cert results according to Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán O Ríordáin, and her reasons for hiding this from TDs yesterday which breached…

The decision to delay the issuing of Leaving Cert results by more than three weeks until September 7th will adversely affect incoming 1st year students according to Labour Spokesperson on Further, Higher Education, Innovation and Research Senator Annie Hoey. Senator Hoey said: “The decision to delay the issuing of results leaves many serious questions unanswered…

The Minister for Education must clarify how and when Leaving Cert results will be released according to Labour Education Spokesperson Aodhán O Riordáin. O Riordáin was speaking after Education Minister Norma Foley declined to confirm that the results will be issued in August as originally intended. Deputy O Riordáin said: “It is my understanding that…

Short notice of extension unacceptable, no extension date indicated yet. With the Minister for Housing confirming he will extend the rent freeze and moratorium on evictions in some way, Labour Housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called for the Minister to commit to a more comprehensive overhaul of protections for renters, and to ensure the July…

Speaking about Labour’s five tests for the Government’s July Stimulus, spokesperson on Social Protection, Seán Sherlock TD said that the stimulus must put money in the pockets of low income households as we know that money will be well spent, and spent locally. Deputy Sherlock said: “Labour’s five tests will determine whether or not the…

Package must make an impact, create and save jobs, and improve public services The Labour Party Finance spokesperson Ged Nash has today published a set of five tests that the government’s upcoming July Stimulus package must meet, calling for a package of at least €10 billion over two years that will create new quality jobs…

The Government needs to put in place a clearly communicated advisory plan for the wearing of face-masks according to Labour Spokesperson on Transport, Communication Networks and Climate Action Duncan Smith. Deputy Smith was speaking after the news that the wearing of face coverings is to be made compulsory in shops and other indoor settings. Deputy…

Pensions affordability issue does not have to mean increase in pensions age. Responding to IFAC’s publication today, Labour spokesperson for employment affairs, Senator Marie Sherlock strongly rejected the call for an increase in the pension age to 69, saying that more research was needed into the long-term sustainability of the public finances.   Senator Sherlock…

Labour has called for a minimum effective rate of corporation tax to be introduced. Speaking in response to the General Court of the European Union (GCEU) annulment of the Commission’s tax ruling against Apple, Labour Finance spokesperson Ged Nash TD, said that now is the time for new rules to ensure all multinational corporations pay…

Cork East TD Seán Sherlock has said that Oireachtas committee oversight needs be restored after the report from HIQA on failures in the Child Protection Notification System in Cork Deputy Sherlock said: “The Committee oversight structures in Leinster House have not yet materialised and are not due to be re-established until after Christmas according to…

Labour Housing Spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has urged the Minster for Housing to suspend the co-living guidelines while his promised review of them is taking place. Senator Moynihan said: “It is disappointing that today Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien refused to commit to banning co-living units completely at the unveiling of a new Housing Development in Ballymun….

The extension of parental leave by three weeks is a welcome step but the roll out of this initiative fails to fix the immediate problem for parents of young babies. Reacting to the Government announcement, Labour spokesperson for Employment Affairs Marie Sherlock said “The extension in parental leave will not become available until November 2020….

Labour Transport spokesperson Duncan Smith has called on the Government to suspend flights from the United States and other Covid-19 hotspots until there is mandatory Covid-19 testing in place at our airports for visitors from those locations, adding that the advice of public health officials and international best practise should be followed, with strong enforcement…

Speaking on our National day of Commemoration, Labour Defence spokesperson Mark Wall paid tribute to all those who have served our people at home and abroad, and died in service to our country. Senator Wall said: “This is an important day where we commemorate and remember those who died in our service. “Irish men and…

Following an interview in the Sunday Independent, Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said it is deeply concerning the lack of direction and plans articulated by Minister Foley on key education polices in contrast to clear conservative answers on social issues. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “What is evident from the interview of the new Minister…

Despite commitments in the Dáil this week towards extending the rent freeze and eviction ban, Labour Housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said reports this weekend indicate that Government parties will quickly move to weaken the measure, and this will directly result in an increase in homelessness. Senator Moynihan said: “Speaking on a Dáil debate on a…

Paying tribute to football legend Jack Charlton on his death at 85, Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly remembered how his management of the Irish team brought us to success that we had never thought possible, and defined sport for a generation. Deputy Kelly said: “It is a sad start to the weekend to hear of…

Following the confirmation that face masks will be compulsory on public transport from Monday, Labour Transport spokesperson Duncan Smith TD has welcomed the move which he called for some weeks ago, but said more now needs to be done to ensure masks are more commonly used, and free masks should also be provided at train…

Reacting to the news of the re-opening of the perimeter gates to the Phoenix Park by the Office of Public Works, Senator Marie Sherlock has once again reiterated her call to the OPW to open up a process of civic engagement on future access to the Park with all communities and interested users.  Senator Sherlock said: “The rapid u-turn on…

Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin raised today at the special Covid-19 committee the funding uncertainty for post-primary further education colleges with roll numbers with the Department of Education but who will transfer to the new Department of Higher Education. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “At the Covid committee today I raised concerns with officials about…

Labour Spokesperson on Employment Affairs, Senator Marie Sherlock has welcomed the public consultation process on remote working announced by the Government.   Sherlock said that while the consultation is welcome, remote working is not a solution that will work for everyone.   Senator Sherlock said: “It is undoubtably true that remote working has saved thousands…

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Government to outline specifically when day services for people with disabilities will return. Deputy Kelly said: “Today in the Dáil I raised the very serious issue of the resumption of disability day services with the Tánaiste, and it is still unclear what the plan is…

Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly has welcomed the confirmation from the Tánaiste in response to his question today that the Government will appeal the Sectoral Employment Order judgement to the Supreme Court and that workers terms and conditions will not be affected in the meantime. Deputy Kelly said: “Today in the Dáil I questioned the…

The Department of Transport need to provide back to work guidelines for driving instructors returning to work according to Labour Spokesperson on Climate Action, Communication Networks and Transport. Smith was speaking after it was revealed that some driving instructors have not returned to work in the absence of clear guidelines from the Department. Deputy Smith…