Type: Press

Opening Remarks to Conference, Friday, 2nd November 2018 I want to open my remarks with a few words of thanks. I’d like to thank the our hard working staff and the many volunteers, who I know have put tremendous work into organising Conference and helping us run events this weekend. I want to thank Dublin…

Labour spokesperson on Social Protection, Sen. Ged Nash has said: ”The Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection’s response to Illness Benefits payment fiasco has been shocking. ”She has taken a hands-off and lackadaisical attitude to this scandal which affects tens of thousands of citizens who have paid their taxes and social insurance and who…

In his opening Address to the Labour Party Conference, Labour Party Chair Jack O Connor said that the fragmentation of the democratic Left would gift the Fine Gael/ Fianna Fail “axis of the Right” a continuing monopoly of power, which in turn would translate into an ongoing housing crisis, low pay, and precarity in the…

Labour Health Spokesperson Alan Kelly TD, has called for the chair of the Oireachtas Committee to invite the authors of the “Health Inequalities in Europe” report to address the Oireachtas Health committee and discuss their findings in relation to Ireland. Commenting today Deputy Kelly said: “Today’s report highlights, yet again, the nature of the two-tier…

Last month, the Seanad passed all stages of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Gender Pay Gap) Information Bill 2017, a Private Members Bill initiated by the Labour group in the Seanad. This year, the EU Equal Pay Day falls on 3 November. It marks the moment when women symbolically stop getting paid compared…

Labour Cllr. and Cathaoirleach of Athy Municipal District, Aoife Breslin has said that the local community is shocked by the violent killing in Athy Cllr. Breslin has called on anyone with any information to contact Athy Garda Station. Speaking today Cllr. Breslin said: “The reported violent death of David Boland on Duke Street this week is…

The 70th National Conference of the Labour Party will take place in the Ballsbridge Hotel, Dublin this weekend, and will outline Labour’s plans to build a New Republic. The three-day event, which will be attended by 1,000 party members and supporters, will see nearly 100 motions debated. Two significant policy documents on Women’s Health and…

Labour TD for Dublin West, Joan Burton, has called on the Minister for Education to initiate expert investigations into the school building issues found in Tyrrelstown Educate Together, St. Lukes Primary School and all schools affected. Speaking today Deputy Burton said: “There is a need for an expert investigation to begin as soon as possible…

Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin TD has thanked Sgt Maurice McCabe for his dedicated public service, and wished him well in retirement. Deputy Howlin said: “Maurice McCabe has served An Garda Síochána and the public with dedication and commitment which never wavered in the face of personal cost. “I want to wish Maurice and his…

Reacting to latest figures provided by the INMO that over 9,000 people were on trolleys in October, Labour Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly has called on the HSE and the Minister for Health to publish what their plans are to reduce this number through out the winter period. Deputy Kelly said: “Winter is coming which means…

Labour Councillor for Kildare South, and General Election Candidate, Mark Wall, has criticised the 8% increase to parking fee at train stations as just another blow to commuters in Kildare. Commenting today Cllr. Wall said: “The increase in car parking fee wholly unacceptable. “This year we are due to increases to fairs, and the new timetable…

Labour Spokesperson on Health, Alan Kelly TD, has described as wholly unacceptable the waiting lists facing sick children. Deputy Kelly has called on Minister Harris to come before the Dáil to explain the cause of these waiting lists and his plan to address the issue. Deputy Kelly said; “There are now over 10,300 children waiting…

Labour Party General Election candidate for Dublin Bay North, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, has said the latest violent incident on a DART shows the need for a dedicated transport police. Senator Ó Ríordáin said:  “Reports of a stabbing incident on board a northbound DART service at 10pm on Tuesday October 30th between Killester and Harmonstown underlines…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly, has said Simon Harris needs to take the prediction by the IMO that trolley numbers will exceed 1,000 this winter seriously.  Deputy Kelly said: “The warnings by the Irish Medical Organisation are very stark as we are set to enter into another winter of chaos in our hospitals. “The…

Labour Finance spokesperson Joan Burton has said that half a million euro is more than enough pay, and that the bankers pay cap must stay in place. Deputy Burton said: “We have just passed the 10 year guarantee of the blanket bank guarantee and the disastrous policies bankers pursued that did huge damage to Ireland…

Speaking in reaction to the exit polls on today’s Presidential election, Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin said: “While the votes still have to be counted, Michael D Higgins’s clearly apparent victory in the Presidential election based on the exit poll is entirely merited. He has been an exemplary President for seven years, and there is…

Labour TD for Dublin West Joan Burton has called on the Dublin Sheriff’s Office to take immediate action to resolve confusion at the polling place in Tyrrelstown. Deputy Burton said: “There is complete confusion on changes of the voting station at Tyrrelstown polling station which is the polling place for an area of 3,000 homes….

Labour spokesperson for Transport, Senator Kevin Humphreys has called on the government to bring forward legislation on a dedicated transport policy unit before next summer.  Commenting today Senator Humphreys said: “I am happy to hear that the government are considering the establishment of a dedicated policing unit for public transport. This has been recommended by the Railway…

Labour Party Health spokesperson, Alan Kelly TD, has called on the Minister for Health to publish the 2018-2019 Winter Initiative. Deputy Kelly said: “In the Dáil today, the Tánaiste made it quite clear that the Government have yet to set out plans as how they are going to avoid another winter of discontent in our…

Labour Spokesperson on Children, Seán Sherlock TD, has expressed concern over the five school buildings in Cork following the revelations surrounding Western Building Systems. Commenting today Deputy Sherlock said; “There are five schools in Cork affected by this scandal. Schools in Clonakilty, Carrigaline, Rochestown, Banduff, and Macroom are awaiting inspections. The two campuses that have…

Labour Youth has today called on young people to ensure that they vote on Friday 26th October.  Labour Youth has endorsed a ’yes’ vote in tomorrow’s referendum to remove the word ‘blasphemous’ from Article 40 of the Constitution.  Labour Youth further encourages people to vote for Michael D Higgins in the Presidential Election. Speaking on the…

Senator Kevin Humphreys has welcomed the announcement of the long-promised restrictions on short term lets but has called on Eoghan Murphy to bring these restrictions in before June 2019. Commenting today Senator Humphreys said: “We shouldn’t have to wait another 8 months when stricter laws could deliver an extra 3,000 homes now. “After two long…

Labour spokesperson on Rural Development, Willie Penrose TD has called on Bórd na Móna and the Government to ensure that jobs are retained in the Midlands by establishing a task force of relevant state bodies. Labour is also supporting the call by Unite for a Just Transition Fund. Deputy Penrose said: “This is a sad…

Labour Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan has said the latest increase in homeless people is a scandal in modern Ireland with a further 136 children without a home in September taking it to a total of 3,829. Deputy O’Sullivan said: “The latest figures on homelessness in Ireland show an increase across all categories: adults, families and…