Type: Press

In response to reports on the national broadband plan, Labour Party Leader and former Minister for Public Expenditure, Brendan Howlin TD, accused the Government of abandoning the spending controls that were painstakingly built up after the economic crash in 2008. Brendan said: “Labour ministers oversaw the initial development of the national broadband plan, and we…

RTÉ accused of prioritising ratings over meaningful democratic debate The Labour Party candidate for the European Elections in the Midlands North West constituency, Dominic Hannigan, has slammed RTÉ’s decision to exclude him from this weekend’s ‘The Week in Politics’ debate, which will air on Sunday, 28th April. The debate will feature five candidates from the…

Reacting to the latest shooting in Drogheda, local Labour Senator Ged Nash said: “This latest shooting in Drogheda has caused revulsion in my community. “It took place on one of the busiest thoroughfare’s in Drogheda, across the road from one of the most popular convenience stores on the Northside of the town. “I spoke to…

To highlight the current climate issues and solutions for Co. Sligo Dominic Hannigan, the Labour Party’s European election candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, yesterday (24.04.19) joined local election candidate for Labour Nessa Cosgrove and activists from Sligo on a ‘Local Cycle for Global Change’ in Doorly Park, Sligo Town. At the event, Mr….

Senator Ivana Bacik has expressed her sympathy to the Quinn family following the death of former Senator Feargal Quinn.  Senator Bacik said: “On behalf of the Labour Party group in Seanad Eireann, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy to the Quinn family, his friends and many colleagues at this time. Feargal Quinn was…

Reacting angrily to AIB’s call for bankers’ pay cap to be raised to above half a million euro, Joan Burton said that people must not ever forget the price we paid for the foolish decisions and bad management of our private banks. The Labour Party Finance Spokesperson called on the Government, as majority shareholder on…

Howlin Calls for Northern Ireland Citizens’ Assembly on Marriage Equality, Irish Language, and Termination of Pregnancy to allow Citizens’ Voices to Break the Stormont Deadlock Speaking following the funeral of Lyra McKee, and in relation to the need to get the Northern Ireland Assembly up and running again, the Leader of the Labour Party Brendan…

Labour Senator, Kevin Humphreys, has asked Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy, to clarify if new height restrictions, which he introduced last year, are applicable to developments in the Special Development Zones.  Sen. Humphreys said: “The Minister for Housing introduced relaxed rules surrounding height restrictions last December but has not clarified how these new rules apply…

Dominic Hannigan, the Labour Party’s European election candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, launched his campaign manifesto today (23.04.19), declaring himself the choice for “voters who want Ireland and Europe to be progressive, brave, and to demonstrate real leadership on major global issues”.   Mr. Hannigan said his priorities as an MEP will be to…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said the HSE and Government officials must react swiftly to remedy the appalling conditions at University Hospital Waterford mortuary. Deputy Kelly said: “News reports emerging today that dead bodies are being left on trolleys in University Hospital Waterford are absolutely horrifying. “A relative passing away can be…

Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said unless timescales are published as to when the two-tier pay structure in the public service will end, the Government are just leading teachers and other public servants down the garden path. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “While a commitment to ending pay inequality in the teaching profession…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to initiate new inter party discussions in Northern Ireland. He said that the only enduring and ultimately worthwhile response to the murder of Lyra McKee would be the restoration of the Good Friday institutions. Deputy Howlin said: “While undoubtedly the cross party horror…

Labour Party Health spokesperson Alan Kelly has described the Government’s lack of planning around the proposed smoky coal ban as irresponsible. This comes as Parliamentary Questions show that key Government Departments haven’t met to discuss the implementation of this ban since May 2016 Deputy Kelly said: “Despite commitments made in 2015, the Government have yet…

Labour Candidate for Longford Westmeath, Alan Mangan, has raised concerns over whether enough funds have been allocated to the Fair Deal scheme for 2019. Mangan has called for reform to the way the scheme is being administered for farming families and called for a commitment from the Government that all cases will be processed without…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has condemned the violence in Derry last night, and described the indiscriminate shooting that led to the death of journalist Lyra McKee as a shocking and reckless act. Deputy Howlin said: “The killing of journalist Lyra McKee, a young woman, only 29 going about her vocation, is a shocking act,…

Dominic Hannigan, the Labour Party’s European election candidate for the Midlands North West constituency, has spoken of his desire to tap into “Mayo’s proud history of progressive leadership”.  Mr. Hannigan was speaking before the Party’s selection convention for the local elections, which took place at the Ivy Tower Hotel in Castlebar last night (17.04.19).  Kamal…

Labour Spokesperson for Rural and Community Affairs Willie Penrose TD has raised the issue of Columb Barracks, Mullingar, with the Minister for Defence and has asked for clarity on the future plans for the barracks.  Deputy Penrose said: “Following recent media reports and inquiries from constituents of mine I have asked the Minister for Defence…

Labour Senator Ivana Bacik was speaking in the Seanad today as the Taoiseach addressed the House. Senator Bacik marked the 70th Anniversary of Ireland becoming a Republic following the passage of the Republic of Ireland Act 1948, noting how the work of our republic is unfinished. Later today, Sen Bacik will contribute to a panel discussion with…

Reacting to the damning report from the Ombudsman for Children on ‘Family Hub’ Accommodation for Homeless Families, Labour’s Housing spokesperson,  Jan O’Sullivan TD, called on the Government to commit to a timeline and resources to implement the recommendations of the Ombudsman for Children. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The 3,784 children currently experiencing homelessness are at the…

Labour Spokesperson on Justice and Children & Youth Affairs Seán Sherlock TD has said that the fifth interim report and the response of Minister Zappone on Bessborough Mother and Baby Home in Cork raises more questions than answers.   According to Minister Zappone’s press release, the Commission found no physical or documentary evidence of systematic burials within the…

Highlighting the lost opportunity of not holding a plebiscite for a directly elected Mayor in Dublin, Labour candidate for the North Inner City Joe Costello has called for a national plebiscite instead so that no area is left behind. Mr Costello said: “The Government has published its plans for Directly elected Mayors in the three…

Labour’s spokesperson on Employment Affairs & Social Protection Senator Ged Nash has accused the government of treating Community Employment Supervisors with contempt. The Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform continues to refuse to meet with the supervisors’ unions (SIPTU and Forsa) to discuss the implementation of a 2008 Labour Court recommendation on pensions for supervisors…

Limerick Labour T.D Jan O’Sullivan has called for a review of the salary and cost of the office of the directly elected mayors of Limerick, Waterford and Cork.  Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The total cost of the office is €450’000 for the mayor and two special advisors. I am calling on the Minister to clarify why…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD has described the lack of a National Broadband Plan before Easter as further evidence of the ineffective management of domestic policy by this Government, alongside a string of other missed deadlines. Deputy Howlin said: “This government is continuing to make promises that it does not deliver on. The latest…