Type: Press

Labour Party TD for Dublin Fingal, Duncan Smith, has said that the Government need to communicate clearly with businesses and workers their plans to open back up sectors of the economy. Deputy Smith said: “The projections published by the Department of Finance today in the Stability Programme Update paint a very bleak picture of our…

Example of Welsh government must be followed Labour TD Ged Nash has called for the establishment of a body to regulate and enforce social distancing in the workplace. He explained: “The reality is that the social distancing requirement is here to stay for some time yet. It will be the new normal for the foreseeable…

Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly TD, has said the delay to rolling out a childcare scheme for frontline health workers has been unacceptable. This comes as the National Public Health Emergency Team are due to discuss childcare provisions for healthcare workers. Deputy Kelly said: “Schools and creches closed over six weeks ago and we still…

Labour spokesperson on Education, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D, has said that teachers’ unions, staff reps and parents associations must be involved in any decision by Government on the potential partial reopening of primary schools. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Any decisions made regarding the partial reopening of primary schools must be done in conjunction with teachers…

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has once again called on the Government to publish the deal they have made with private hospitals. Deputy Kelly said: “I have been repeatedly calling on the Government to publish the deal they have made with private hospitals for weeks now. “Following my questioning in the Dáil last week,…

Labour Party Councillor and Chair of Dublin City Council Strategic Policy Committee on Housing, Alison Gilliland, has said that Construction site Covid19 heath and safety protocols must be agreed and made public before any Council housing sites are reopened. Cllr Gilliland commented: “I’m hearing reports that some local authority social housing construction sites may reopen as early as this…

Labour Councillor Kevin Donoghue has called on the Minister responsible for the OPW to consider reopening St Stephen’s Green for local access. The 22 acre park is the largest of the parks in Dublin’s main Georgian garden squares and has been closed as part of restrictions around Covid-19. Cllr Donoghue said: “The restrictions that are…

Commenting on an Irish Times report that the Leaving Cert could run until early September, Labour Education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has expressed his deep frustration at a lack of clarity coming from the Department of Education regarding the State Exam. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “It is now one week since the Minister announced that…

Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly has expressed his sadness on hearing of the death of former Labour Lucan Councillor Michael Gannon. Deputy Kelly said: “I want to extend my sympathies to the family, friends and comrades of former Labour Councillor Michael Gannon who died on Wednesday at the age of 98. In particular, my thoughts…

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Government to issue a one-off €1,000 pandemic payment to healthcare workers during the May Day Bank Holiday as a solidarity gesture. Deputy Kelly said: “As each day passes during this pandemic, we become more grateful for the amazing work our healthcare staff are doing to…

“Number of College Access places needs to be doubled in 2020 for students from low income backgrounds and for those with a disability” Following on from the announcement on the Leaving Cert last Friday, Labour Senator Marie Sherlock has called on the Government to support a number of specific changes to the DARE and HEAR third level access…

“We must have a new social contract that guarantees living wages and a decent standard of living. That is something that Labour will be fighting for in Ireland and the UK.” Following a video conference call with Kier Starmer MP (leader of the UK Labour Party), Anneliese Dodds MP (Shadow Chancellor) and Lisa Nandy MP…

Labour Senator Mark Wall has called on the Minister for Health and the HSE to clarify the renewal process for Medical cards with no clear system in place. Senator Wall said: “There is uncertainty about the renewal process for medical card and it is essential that the Minister and the HSE clarify quickly what arrangements…

Commenting on the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael framework document, Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, said: “I have received the Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael document that they plan to use to negotiate a programme for Government with other parties. “It is clear from first reading that this is an un-costed, purely aspirational document, that will require detailed…

Labour Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, has welcomed news of progress made in talks between the Fórsa union and Government on proposals to reassign Special Needs Assistants during the Covid-19 crisis. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “I welcome news from Fórsa today that a commitment has been made for SNAs to continue supporting their students…

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Government to outline when exactly they will roll out a childcare scheme for healthcare workers. This comes as SIPTU and the INMO have called for the Government to roll out this scheme. Deputy Kelly said: “Over a month ago, at the first cross-party briefing on…

Two weeks on from deal still no detail Labour Leader Alan Kelly has called once again for the deal done with private hospitals to be published and said the Minister for Health and HSE should confirm the monthly cost of renting the facilities. Deputy Kelly said: “At the Leaders briefing last week I called for…

Two weeks on from deal still no detail Labour Leader Alan Kelly has called again for the deal done with private hospitals to be published, as the row with private consultants drags on. Deputy Kelly said: “It is now over two weeks since 30th March when the Government announced a deal to use private hospitals….

Start date for exams needed Reduction to 5 Subjects Close the Digital Divide  Scrap €116 Exam Fee Radical decisions are now needed on the Leaving Cert following the decision to postpone the exams said Labour spokesperson on Education, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D; nd those decisions must be taken after consultations with teacher and student unions….

Labour Employment Affairs spokesperson Ged Nash has said that workers over 66 should be eligible for the Covid-19 unemployment payment and that the Government must stop discriminating on the basis of age. Workers over 66 deserve some respect Deputy Nash said: “The Covid-19 pandemic unemployment payment was quickly introduced and I accept there were some…

Labour Party Leader Alan Kelly, has called for the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence, to give clarity to members of the Defence Forces who are currently deployed in the Lebanon. Deputy Kelly said: “There is great uncertainty amongst Irish troops who are currently stationed in the Lebanon whose mission is due to end on May…

Commenting on the decision to postpone the Leaving Cert exams until later in the summer, Labour spokesperson on Education, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D, said: “I accept that the Department of Education are in an impossible position with regard to the State exams. “This is already an extremely stressful time for students who have been preparing…

Labour Party Leader, Alan Kelly TD, has slammed the decision to allow hundreds of UK citizens holiday in Ireland for the Easter break. Deputy Kelly said: “The images of dozens of cars with UK registrations arriving at our ports over the last few days is rightfully enraging so many people across Ireland. “Questions need to…

Labour Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, has hit out at the Department of Education and the HSE for the way they have handled a potential redeployment of Special Needs Assistants. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “The mess the Government have made of asking SNAs to be redeployed as healthcare assistants is completely unnecessary. “At this…