Type: Press

As the Dáil prepares to debate the report on ‘Accessibility of Public Transport for People with Disabilities’, Labour Disability spokesperson Declan Meenagh, has welcomed the publication saying it listened to the voices of people with disabilities, and lists important changes needed for us to have an accessible public transport system for all. Mr Meenagh, who…

The Irish Government is failing to provide adequate support to victims of crime, according to Labour’s MEP candidate for the Midlands-North West Euro-constituency, Dominic Hannigan, who was speaking in advance of Friday’s European Day for the Victims of Crime (22 February). Mr Hannigan said: “Every year, an estimated 15% of Europeans or 75 million people…

Labour TD for Fingal, Brendan Ryan, has reiterated his call for the Northise of the Metrolink development to be fast-tracked. Following reports today that the NTA is to abandon the Southline section of the proposed light rail development. The Northside section should continue ahead as planned. Deputy Ryan said: ” Proceeding with the Metrolink project…

Labour Spokesperson for Transport Sen. Kevin Humphreys has described as ‘reckless’ the behavior of those involved in the ongoing incident at Dublin airport reportedly involving a drone being flown over the airfields. Senator Humphreys said: ” I am hopeful that the Dublin Airport Authority has a strategy in place to deal with this incent, and…

Senator Ged Nash, alongside Labour colleagues, have backed a Seanad proposed Bill, ensuring employees are given the right to receive customer provided tips. Currently, workers have no express legal right to take home the tips intended for them. The National Minimum Wage (Protection of Employee Tips) Bill 2017 which passed Committee Stage in the Seanad…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has again raised the issue of the sudden, and unfair, decision by the Revenue Commissioners to change from zero to 23% VAT on food supplements. The recent decision was not detailed in the last Budget and will have a detrimental effect on small businesses in towns and villages all…

Responding to reports by the Lancet Oncology on eliminating Cervical Cancer, Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said the scope is there to extend the HPV vaccine to people up to the age of 45.  Deputy Kelly said:  “Late last year, the FDA in the United States approved extending the administration of the…

Welcoming the TASC report ‘The State We Are In: Inequality in Ireland today’, Labour spokesperson on Employment Affairs and Social Protection Ged Nash has called for a formal link between the national minimum wage and two thirds of median income, and a right to collective bargaining. Senator Nash said: “This significant report should serve as…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin has accused the Taoiseach of misleading the Dáil on the impact of reallocating €100m of capital spending in 2019, for the National Children’s Hospital, and he said that €35m would fund a lot of work in the health sector that now won’t go ahead this year. Deputy Howlin said: “A…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has described the numbers of people on trolleys in our emergency departments and wards as unacceptable. This comes as the INMO have confirmed that over 512 people are on trolleys today.  Deputy Kelly said:  “With the worst of the winter flu crisis now over, it is not is…

Responding to the report in today’s Irish Times, Labour Fingal TD, Brendan Ryan called on Fianna Fáil to get off the fence and reverse the decision to make FCC the noise regulator for Dublin Airport.  Deputy Ryan said; “It is deeply concerning that Fingal County Council having highlighted their own extensive role in regards to…

Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton has said that a more detailed explanation is required from the Minister regarding the volume of €4.3bn in tax payments outstanding to Revenue as of 31 January 2019. A total of €969m is immediately available for collection and would make a significant difference to public services. Wealth taxes of €111m…

Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, has called on the Government to regulate rogue crisis pregnancy agencies. Deputy Howlin said: “Through reports in today’s Times Ireland, we have learned that American anti-abortion groups plan to target Irish abortion providers and try to offer alternative advice to women who may be seeking terminations through rogue crisis…

Senator Ged Nash has called on the Fine Gael government to stop stonewalling Community Employment (CE) Scheme Supervisors and to engage in meaningful discussions on a pension scheme for those who run CE programmes. Labour’s Employment Affairs & Social Protection Spokesperson Nash said: “The spirit and letter of the 2008 Labour Court recommendation on a…

Labour Spokesperson for Rural Development, Willie Penrose TD, has welcomed the announcement of €600,000 in Rural Regeneration and Development funding for Kinnegad. This funding will be used to develop a number of projects including a town park and other community facilities. Deputy Penrose said;“The announcement from of a €600,000 investment in Kinnegad is very welcome….

Labour General Election candidate Alan Mangan, has described as a ‘national shame’ the conditions facing veterans facing homelessness after years of service in the Defence Forces. Mr. Mangan said: “ It’s a source of national shame that veterans, who know better than most the power of our national flag, have resorted to sleeping on the…

Labour TD for Dublin Fingal, Brendan Ryan has criticised Fianna Fáil for facilitating the passing of the Aircraft Noice (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018. Deputy Ryan said; “On Wednesday evening we came to discuss the critical stage of the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulations Bill 2018, the Report Stage Amendments. This Bill is quite controversial…

Labour TD for Dublin Fingal, Brendan Ryan has criticised Fianna Fáil for facilitating the passing of the Aircraft Noice (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018.  Deputy Ryan said; “On Wednesday evening we came to discuss the critical stage of the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulations Bill 2018, the Report Stage Amendments. This Bill is quite controversial…

Following questions in the Dáil from Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, the Minister for Defence, Paul Kehoe, has agreed to meet the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel. Deputy Howlin said: “Following my questions in the Dáil today about ONE’s campaign to highlight homelessness among former servicemen and women, the Minister for Defence has agreed…

Labour Spokesperson for Rural and Community Affairs, Willie Penrose TD, has today raised in the Dáil, with the Minister Doherty the ongoing issue of unfair employment situation for Supervisors on Community Employment Schemes. This follows the recent decision of CE Supervisors to withdraw labour and engage in protests in locations around the country on Monday 18th February.  These…

At today’s meeting of the Public Accounts Committee the Comptroller and Auditor General confirmed to Labour Party Health spokesperson and Vice Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Alan Kelly TD that civil servants are subject to circular 2010/12.  Circular 2010/12 from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform sets out very clearly the responsibilities of…

Labour Party Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan has criticised the FG/Independent Government for persisting in pouring more and more money into the pockets of private landlords rather than ramping up construction of social and affordable homes on publicly owned land. “The figures for housing delivery published by Minister Murphy last night reveal that 69% of the…

Brendan Howlin TD, Leader of the Labour Party, today asked the Taoiseach about the unfair situation for Supervisors on Community Employment Schemes. These schemes are funded by the Department of Social Protection, yet are not subject to the Public Service Superannuation Act 2018, which means they are not being given the same opportunity as other people paid by the…

Labour Party Health spokesperson Alan Kelly TD, has said that after today’s Health Committee on CervicalCheck, that we need further confirmation on the outsourcing of lab work from Dr Gabriel Scally.  Deputy Kelly’s comments come ahead of the publication of Dr Gabriel Scally’s second report into CervicalCheck. Deputy Kelly said: “Today in the Health Committee…