Type: Press

On Tuesday night in the Sligo SIPTU offices, Nessa Cosgrove was selected to contest the local elections in May for the Labour Party in the Sligo-Strandhill ward. The convention was attended by Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD. Addressing members of the Party at the selection convention Cosgrove outlined her reasons for running, and what…

Labour Youth have condemned the new partnership agreement between the SDLP and Fianna Fáil and called for a new Northern Ireland Labour Party to be formed. Speaking on the matter, Chair of Labour Youth Patrick Ahern said: “It is deeply disappointing to see the SDLP entering a partnership agreement with Fianna Fáil not only because…

Labour Transport spokesperson, Senator Kevin Humphreys has said that the report from Inrix today shows once again the urgent need for the reinstatement of Operation Freeflow. It is estimated that Dublin motorists spent an average of 246 hours in their cars in 2018. The reintroduction of Operation Free flow as a year-round project is needed…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has urged the Ministers for Health and Public Expenditure to outline exactly what Health projects are going to be delayed because of the overrun in the National Children’s Hospital.  Deputy Kelly said:  “Paschal Donohoe today announced that €99 million will be taken out of funds already allocated to…

At the Order of Business in the Dáil today, Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin questioned the Taoiseach as to whether the revised tender price for the main build of the National Children’s Hospital, as approved by the Cabinet before Christmas was considered by the Attorney General to be compliant with EU procurement directives. Deputy Howlin…

Labour Deputy for Dublin Fingal, Brendan Ryan TD today raised with the Minister for Transport the need for the Metrolink development to be fast-tracked. Deputy Ryan raised the urgent need for an affordable light rail for North County Dublin. The Northside has waiting long enough to be served by a light rail line comparable to…

Labour Housing Spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan has described the decision by Minister Eoghan Murphy to move homeless families off the housing list for five years if they turn down unsuitable accommodation as ‘heartless and cynical’. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “This decision shows the blatant lack of understanding that Minister Murphy has when it comes to the real difficulties facing homeless families….

On International Day of Women in Science, Labour Party Education spokesperson, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said that the many STEM focused multinationals based in Ireland have an obligation to promote STEM subjects to young girls in Irish schools. Senator Ó Ríordáin said: “We know that young Irish girls struggle with their confidence when it comes…

The Labour Party has proposed to the Low Pay Commission that the National Minimum Wage for 2019 should be €10.55 per hour this year, rising to €11.25 by 2020, and to link it to 2/3rds of median income. The current rate is €9.80 an hour. The call was made in a submission by the Party’s…

In response to the report in today’s Sunday Business Post, Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin wishes to reiterate his strong opposition to tobacco and the cigarette industry, and the damage it wrecks on millions of lives. Deputy Howlin said: ”I’ve opposed tobacco since my time as a Minister in the Department of Health. I know…

“The Labour Party is disappointed by the result of the vote today by SDLP delegates to approve a formal partnership with Fianna Fáil. “It remains our view that this move represents a precursor to a full merger. We also note that 30% of delegates opposed the leadership motion. “The consequences of the partnership decision will…

Labour Senator Kevin Humphreys has called on the Minister for Housing, Eoghan Murphy to commit to funding the 900 social and affordable housing units that were committed to on the IGB site in his constituency. The call comes as the community prepare to protest this Saturday at 11am on the Sean Moore Road. Sen. Humphreys…

Labour Health spokesperson Alan Kelly TD reacting to the latest developments in the National Children’s Hospital scandal has called for the Minister for Public Expenditure to make a statement on the role of the Chief Procurement Officer, and for the comprehensive release of a series of documents including: All briefings prepared and presented by the…

After another shooting death on the Northside, Labour Senator for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Riordáin has said that the latest incident in Darndale must be a wake up call for the Minister for Justice who has refused to engage with him on Garda resources for the area. Sen. Ó Ríordáin said:“This morning’s shooting incident…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said that Ministers Harris and Donohoe’s accounts of who knew what and when on the National Children’s Hospital don’t stack up following the publication of minutes which show the officials in the Department of Health knew of a €400 million overrun since September 2018. Deputy Kelly said:…

Brendan Ryan, Labour Spokesperson for Defence has called for Ireland to sign the EU status of forces agreement (S.O.F.A.). The agreements guarantee that Ireland’s neutrality will remain protected while securing proper legal protection for the Defence Forces.  Deputy Ryan said: “The EU Status of Forces Agreement is designed to ensure that our Defence Forces has…

Labour Party Housing spokesperson, Jan O’Sullivan has said that if we are to fulfill the ideals of the Democratic Programme one hundred years after its publication, then we must remove all barriers to housing and bring an end to family homelessness.  Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The Labour Party is bringing a motion before the Dáil today to set out a…

Speech by Labour TD, Deputy Brendan Ryan, in Dáil Éireann, 05/02/2019 Remarks on Job Path The Labour Party will be supporting the Sinn Féin motion tonight. The devastating crash caused by Fianna Fáil’s disastrous economic management saw unemployment peak in late 2011 at 15.9%, with hundreds of thousands losing their jobs, emigrating or underemployed. The…

Speaking in the Dáil today, the leader of the Labour Party, Brendan Howlin TD raised the issue of the ongoing failure of the government to deliver new GP contracts. Speaking today, Deputy Howlin said: “Fine Gael has been in charge of the Department of Health since March 2011. We have come out of the austerity years,…

To mark the centenary of the 1st Dáil and the Democratic Programme, a motion will be debated today in Labour Party Private Members Time calling for a fair start for every child. Recognising and emphasising that Government’s first duty is to the child, the motion proposes and demands policy commitments, and the swift implementation of…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has said further answers are needed from Simon Harris and Paschal Donohoe on the mismanagement of the National Children’s Hospital overspend. Deputy Kelly:  “Following my questions at today’s Health Committee, it is astounding that no formal meetings took place between Department of Health and the Department of Public…

Labour Seanad Whip, Sen. Kevin Humphreys has confirmed that the Labour group will tomorrow, Wednesday 6th February facilitate the committee stage of the Social Democrat’s Parental Leave (Amendment) Bill 2017. It follows repeated stalling by Fine Gael on the bill, that had previously passed the Dáil unopposed. Sen. Humphreys said: “Tomorrow during Labour Party Seanad…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD has rejected the assertion by the Taoiseach that corporate governance rules take precedence over Government circulars. Their appointee certainly should have informed the Minister for Public Expenditure in relation to cost overruns in the National Children’s Hospital. Deputy Howlin said: “Fine Gael has learned nothing from our years of…

Labour Party Justice and Children and Youth Affairs spokesperson, Seán Sherlock TD has urged the Government to reconsider its decision not to appoint a Digital Safety Commissioner. Following the publication of yesterday’s Progress Report from the Advisory Council for Online Saftey, Deputy Sherlock has repeated his call for the creation of a Digitial Safety Commissioner….