Type: Press

Labour’s health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Wednesday, 16th March) written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to demand his immediate intervention to resolve a potential dispute between health care workers, union representatives and health service employers. Deputy Smith said: “What was a good news story for health care workers is now becoming incredibly…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan has called on government to deliver more affordable cost rental properties for people squeezed by the housing market. With residential property prices growing by 14.8% in the year to January, Senator Moynihan said the lack of urgency from the Minister to redress the imbalance in the market is deeply concerning….

Speaking following the publication of a report of the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Conor O’Mahony, on illegal adoption in Ireland, Labour Spokesperson for Children Ivana Bacik TD has called on the Government to implement its recommendations quickly. Deputy Bacik said: “The publication of today’s report should act as impetus for long-overdue progress in Ireland. In…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has called on the Minister to outline the specific rationale used for the DEIS school funding announced by the Department yesterday. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “At a briefing for Education spokespeople yesterday, a considerable amount of time was spent on explaining the DEIS identification model which has been used…

Labour Spokesperson on Equality and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality, Ivana Bacik has today (Thursday, 10th March) said that outdated and sexist language concerning women in the Constitution must be removed by referendum. Speaking following a meeting of the Gender Equality Committee Deputy Bacik said: “This morning, we heard from a range…

Following a discussion today (Wednesday, 9th March) at the Joint Oireachtas Health Committee on hospital overcrowding, Labour Senator and Health Committee member Annie Hoey said real investment is needed in healthcare workers. Senator Hoey said: “The government has failed workers in the health service for too long. All witnesses at today’s Oireachtas committee gave compelling…

Dáil Éireann will tomorrow (March 9th) debate a Labour Party motion on the right to flexible work. In response to the government’s bill which would effectively give employers the right to refuse requests from employees, the Labour Party want to make flexible work the default option and not the exception. Speaking in advance of the…

Labour housing spokesperson Rebecca Moynihan said government must urgently implement Labour’s Renters’ Rights Bill to end the practice of landlords evicting tenants when selling properties. Responding to figures released by the Rental Tenancies Board, Senator Moynihan said renters in the private market need much better protections. Senator Moynihan said: “Labour has long campaigned for better…

Labour Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Brendan Howlin T.D. said: “The unlawful and wholly unwarranted invasion of a sovereign nation by the forces of the Russian Federation demand an unprecedented international response. “The sanctions set out to date do not go far enough. Ireland should publicly call for the exclusion of Russia from the SWIFT financial system….

• Results of Ireland Thinks poll shows 71% believe in right to flexible work • 81% of women want the right to flexible work • 81% of young people call for the right to flexible work At a roundtable meeting of stakeholder groups, including the National Women’s Council, ICTU, SPARK, the Financial Services Union and…

• Govt on backfoot with biggest workplace advancement • Workers must be given priority in any govt intervention Labour employment spokesperson Marie Sherlock has this morning expressed concern about government’s proposed air miles subsidy. In advance of publishing employee-first flexible work legislation this week, Senator Sherlock said the proposed subsidy to private remote work hubs…

Labour TD for Dublin Bay North Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today (Monday, 21st February) sharply criticised the Government for refusing to commit to a Citizens’ Assembly on Drugs until at least next year. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “Less than two short weeks ago (Wednesday, 9th February) I asked the Taoiseach if there were any concrete…

Labour Senator, and Further and Higher Education spokesperson, Annie Hoey, has today (Friday, 18th February) said Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris must ensure that the successes and gains of remote learning are bedded down post pandemic. Speaking in the Seanad this week, Senator Hoey said the benefits experienced by disabled students, parents…

• 20% reduction in transport fares already wiped out by cost increases Labour Senator Mark Wall has today (Friday, 18th February) demanded clarity from the government regarding the 20% reduction in transport fares and its actual effectiveness. Senator Wall said: “We welcomed the announcement from the government that people would see a 20% reduction in…

Labour’s Public Expenditure & Reform spokesperson Ged Nash has today welcomed the effective adoption of the Labour Party’s Post-Term Regulation of Lobbying Bill, 2020 by the government. Deputy Nash said: “Last June, members of Dáil Éireann debated a Labour Party Bill that would make a breach of the twelve month ‘cooling-off’ period for Ministers turned…

Labour education spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has today published a bill to end single-gender school admission policies. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said the time has come to bring Ireland’s education system more in line with international norms. Deputy Ó Ríordáin said: “The fact that so many of our schools are still separated by gender sends the…

Labour’s health spokesperson Duncan Smith has today (Sunday, 13th February) written to the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly to demand answers to extraordinary questions of governance, recruitment and accountability raised by a leaked audio recording of a Department of Health meeting. Deputy Smith said: “The leaked recording of an internal Department of Health meeting reported…

Labour Party spokesperson for Finance, Ged Nash has today (Friday, 11th February) supported calls from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) for its affiliates to campaign for inflation proofed pay increases to deal with the cost of living crisis. Deputy Nash said: “The pressure being put upon working people is immense and the reality…

Time to look at community sports grounds Labour sport spokesperson Mark Wall has welcomed the announcement of the Sports Capital grant announced by government today. Senator Wall said: “It’s been a challenging few years for clubs and sporting organisations across the country, but the confirmation today that up to €150 million will be available in…

• Ireland needs a pay rise to avoid catastrophic fall in living standards • Mini budget needed to insulate households as inflation set to rise by 5% in 2022 • Promised Budget pledges on GP care & transport cynically wrapped up in cost-of-living bow Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance, Ged Nash has today (Thursday, 10th…

Labour spokesperson on sport Mark Wall said the research published by the Health Research Board needs to be a wakeup call for government to stop their tokenistic responses and take meaningful action to protect those at risk of gambling addiction. Senator Wall said: “The research published by the Health Research Board (HRB) points to a…

• Issues with pay, allowances, retention and recruitment must be addressed to deliver on Defence objectives. • Housing accommodation and healthcare key concerns for personnel as part of the overall package of supports. Labour Party spokesperson on Defence, Senator Mark Wall, has welcomed the long awaited report from the Commission on the Defence Forces but…

• SIPTU report showcases future threat to childcare due to disrespect shown to workers Speaking following the launch of research by SIPTU’s Big Start campaign today, Labour spokesperson for children Ivana Bacik TD has said the time is now for the introduction of a public childcare model. Deputy Bacik said: “The report published by SIPTU…

Labour LGBT, the Irish Labour Party Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Trans group are paying tribute to Eoin Collins who died on Tuesday 1st February 2022. Speaking about Eoin Collins, Labour LGBT Co Chairs James Joy and Catherine Arnold said “Eoin Collins was an enormous influence in changing Irelands’ laws on LGBT Equality and how Ireland…