Type: Press

Reacting to the INMO trolley watch figures which show 610 patients on trolleys today, Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health to publish his winter plan for our health services. Deputy Kelly said: “It comes as no surprise to anyone who follows the trolley trends that we have…

Speaking in relation to the issue of VAT on food supplements, the leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, reiterated his support for no change in the zero rating of food supplements in Budget 2020. Deputy Howlin said: “It has been the case for decades that the state charges the 0% rate of VAT…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called for the HPV vaccine catch up programme to be extended to boys. Deputy Kelly said: “In the upcoming budget, the Minister for Health needs to ensure that provisions are made to extend the HPV vaccine catch up programme to boys. “It is not good enough that…

Reacting to today’s homelessness figures, Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, said: “Today’s figures show that an extra 70 children became homeless in August, bringing the total number of homeless children in Ireland to 3,848.  “This is truly a heart-breaking and unacceptable situation. “Emergency accommodation is no place for a child, and there’s an increased…

The leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, has accused the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe, of being ‘less than forthcoming’ in his dealings around the appointment of the new Central Bank Governor. Deputy Howlin was responding to reports in the Irish Times about concerns expressed by the Central Bank Commission about Mr Mahklouf’s appointment. He…

Labour TD for Longford-Westmeath, Willie Penrose, has said every effort must be made to avoid job cuts at Bórd na Móna. Deputy Penrose said: “I’m extremely concerned to hear from the Group of Unions that management at Bórd na Móna has warned jobs may be on the line in the coming weeks if solutions can’t…

Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan TD has expressed concern about the long waiting times being faced by those on low incomes looking to retrofit their homes under the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme. The comments come after PQ replies tabled by Deputy O’Sullivan to the Climate Change Minister showed wait times of between eight and…

Speaking ahead of the planned 24-hour strike action by staff operating speed camera vans tomorrow morning, Labour Party leader, Brendan Howlin TD has said the Minister for Justice is responsible for dealing with the issue and ensuring that the deterrent of speed cameras is in place this weekend. Deputy Howlin commented: “We know that excessive…

Commenting on the latest official figures on the cost of childcare here, Labour spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Sean Sherlock said: “These figures highlight how working families are being absolutely hammered by unaffordable childcare costs. “Just a day after the latest RTB data put average rent in Dublin at around €1700 per month,…

Labour spokesperson on Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has called on Cabinet to urgently approve of the purchase of additional InterCity railcar carriages for Iaranród Éireann. Senator Humphreys said: “These InterCity railcar carriages are badly needed to combat chronic commuter overcrowding on trains in the greater Dublin area. “We need an immediate Cabinet decision to allow…

Returning after four days at the UK Labour Conference in Brighton, during another dramatic week in British politics, the leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, welcomed the solidarity of the British Labour leadership for Ireland, but warned of the huge risks for Ireland over the coming weeks. At the conference, Deputy Howlin engaged…

Responding to the latest rental report from the RTB, Labour Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan TD, commented: “These latest figures show the cost of rent in parts of the country has now gone way above the boom time highs, making it completely unaffordable for the vast majority of people. “If we look at Dublin in particular…

Labour Party representative for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has welcomed the Government’s decision to hold fresh inquests for the 48 victims of the 1981 Stardust fire tragedy. Senator Ó Ríordáin commented: “Stardust was an event that scarred the Northside for a generation. “Hopefully this is the beginning of a process that can get…

Labour Party spokesperson on Community Arts, Rebecca Moynihan, has said that cultural spaces in Dublin should not be sacrificed for more hotels. Councillor Moynihan said: “There has been way too many high profile closures of artistic and cultural spaces in our capital city so that their sites can now make way for hotels. “Dublin is…

Labour TD for Dublin West, Joan Burton, has accused the Government of being all talk and no action when it comes to tackling air pollution. The comments come as the latest report from the EPA said parts of Dublin city centre were likely to breach EU and WHO air quality guidelines this year. Deputy Burton,…

Speaking at the UK Labour Conference in Brighton, the leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD welcomed the change in British Labour policy that may prevent the UK exit from the EU.  Deputy Howlin said: “The decision by the British Labour Party marks an important milestone on the road to potentially stopping Brexit.  “While I…

Labour Party Senator Ivana Bacik has called for Exclusion Zones around hospitals and clinics to be prioritised in the upcoming Dáil term. The comments come ahead of six weeks of planned protests by an anti-choice group outside the National Maternity Hospital due to begin tomorrow. Senator Bacik said: “I am very concerned at the reports…

Commenting from the UK Labour Party Conference, Labour Party Employment Affairs spokesperson, Ged Nash, has welcomed the British Labour Party’s proposals on a four day working week. Senator Nash said: “This week our colleagues in the British Labour Party through the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, John McDonnell, have committed to the reduction of the…

Labour Communications spokesperson Seán Sherlock has today published a bill that would ensure the national broadband network that the state will fund with €2.9 billion of public funds would remain owned by the people. The law if enacted would give statutory effect to the recommendation of the Joint Oireachtas Committee. Deputy Sherlock said: “Today I…

Labour Party spokesperson on Climate Change Seán Sherlock will be available to speak to reporters today, Tuesday 24th September, at 11.45am, to discuss his proposed Bill to ensure the Broadband Network stays in public ownership and respond to the Government’s climate U-Turns. What: Doorstep with Seán Sherlock Where: Leinster House Plinth. When: 11.45  ENDS Contact…

Labour Dublin City Councillors have tabled a motion tonight, alongside the Green Party and Social Democrats seeking to ensure that the rate of local property tax is not varied for 2020, and for the additional revenue to be invested in housing, climate action, public waste collection and improvements in the public domain, including an expansion…

Figures obtained by the Labour Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, show that the HSE have spent close to €94 million on agency staff from January to July 2019. Deputy Kelly said: “The fact that the HSE are still spending ludicrous amounts on agency staff prove that the HSE have still not learned how to control…

Speaking at the UK Labour Conference in Brighton, the Leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD, called on the DUP to adopt UK Labour’s approach to holding another Brexit referendum rather than the dangerous policy of Boris Johnson. Deputy Howlin said: “I am glad to be here at the UK Labour Conference to continue…

No figures available on how many council homes will be retrofitted in 2019 Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan TD has said that the retrofitting of local authority homes must be prioritised by the Government as part of its commitment to tackling climate change. It follows the U-turn today announced by the Government on the use…