Type: Speech

  I made my maiden speech as a Deputy in the Thirty-first Dáil five years ago and it was on the matter of mental health. I am glad to have the opportunity to also discuss this important issue so early in the lifetime of this new Dáil. The last number of years have been years…

For 104 years, the Labour Party has been a voice for progress in Ireland. We are a smaller party now than we have been for many years, but our role is still vital to the progress of our nation. Over the last seven weeks, we as a party have grappled with our changed position. Many…

When the Dáil last met to debate this issue, the Labour Party made very clear our position. The process around forming a Government has left a lot of people scratching their heads. The Dáil is meeting again today despite no clear outcome of meetings between the two biggest parties and independents, There is no agreed…

Ceann Comhairle, When the Dail last met to debate this issue, the Labour Party made very clear our position. We supported the nomination of Enda Kenny as Taoiseach on March 10 to complete the offer we made to the people in the general election – the return of the Labour Party-Fine Gael government. We also…

Speaking in Dail Eireann on the Nomination of Taoiseach In the general election, the Labour Party sought a mandate to continue implementing our policy in government – to continue the job of rebuilding our economy and our society. And we viewed it essential that Ireland have stable, balanced government to continue addressing entrenched problems such…

Progressive and left-leaning voters have a choice to make on Friday. They can vote for the far left, or for parties who have adopted a left-wing stance as a flag of convenience. One of these, Sinn Fein, says it will not enter Government unless Gerry Adams is Taoiseach. The others will spend the next five…

I’d like to focus my remarks on the next five years. This election is about the future. We’ve worked hard over the last five years to bring this country back from the brink. Back from the cliff Fianna Fail drove it over. I confess it hasn’t always been easy. But because it has been difficult…

This is the last Labour Party press conference at the end of a long and vital national debate. At the end of that debate, the choice facing the Irish people is still clear. They can vote Labour to return the current Government to continue with the job of repairing and reforming the country. Or they…

I’m delighted to be master of ceremonies here today. The electorate now have a clear choice – do they want Labour back in Government to ensure a fairer, more equal and progressive Ireland or do they want turmoil? Fianna Fail are trying to pull a con job on the electorate because they are not making…

For the Labour Party, equality is the keystone of what we believe. Throughout this campaign, I have been making a clear point – only Labour will deliver greater equality. Achieving this must start with delivering equality of opportunity. A key question in this election is how we ensure every child has the best possible start…

In our lives before we were given the opportunity to serve in the Oireachtas, John and I were teachers. John taught for over a decade in St Vincent’s in Glasnevin. As he said earlier this week, I know he loved teaching children from the community where he grew up. I had the great pleasure of…

Speaking as Labour outlined proposals to increase take-home pay for low and middle income workers   The next government will have two main tasks. To sustain the growth in the economy. And to ensure the benefits of growth are spread widely and well. If we do succeed in sustaining growth, I’ve made it clear that…

Speaking at the launch of ‘Standing Up for Public Services:   I would like you to welcome you to the launch of “Standing up for Public Services.”   This is Labour’s plan to invest in the services that families and communities need.   I am joined by my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and…

Speaking at the launch of ‘Standing Up for Public Services’   “Labour is the party of public services. That is why we’ve chosen to allocate our available resources on a 3 to 1 basis for spending on vital services over tax cuts. Our tax package is moderate and targeted on those who need it most….

Speaking at the launch of Labour’s equality plan: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to speak to you today, at the launch of these proposals. I am proud to be here as a former Deputy Leader, a Labour Party member, and as a member of Labour Women. The Labour Party has a long and honourable…

Speaking at the launch of ‘Standing Up for Equality ‘Labour’s plan for a modern, more equal Ireland’:   For the Labour Party, equality is the keystone of what we believe. Equality of opportunity. Equality of treatment before the law. Equality of rights and of duties. Equality between men and women. In recent years, we have…

Speaking at Labour’s launch of Labour’s plan for a Modern, More Equal Ireland: The eighth amendment to our Constitution means that our mothers, sisters and friends have no access to a legal termination in Ireland in cases of fatal foetal abnormality, rape, or incest. I campaigned against the eighth amendment in the 1980s – as…

I’m delighted to here to launch our plan for arts and culture in Ireland. These proposals have come about after a process of genuine consultation within the Labour Party, and more importantly, between the Labour Party and the arts and creative communities. We held a series of arts policy network events, not just here in…

Speaking at the launch of ‘Standing Up for Irish Culture’, Labour’s plan for promoting the arts, heritage and culture:   So much of who we are as a people, and what we value as a society, is tied up in how we treat the arts.   A nation is defined not only by the individuals…

Speaking in Limerick at the launch of the Labour Party policy document ‘Standing Up for Education’:   Neither Joan nor I would be here today if it wasn’t for the choices opened up to us through education.   We both share a passion for education.   We share a belief that it is the most…

Speaking at the launch of ‘Standing Up For Education’, Labour’s plan for investment and reform of education:  As a child, I went to school in Stanhope Street in Dublin’s inner city. Stanhope Street was a great school. There was a huge amount of encouragement for women to become whatever it was we wanted to become….

Speaking at the Launch of Standing Up for Ireland’s FutureLabour’s Election Manifesto   I’m delighted to be back here in Grangegorman. It has a symbolism for me personally. The project was one of those stayed in 2011 as the full implications of our recession meant we were locked out of the PPP market. But I…

Speaking at the Launch of Standing Up for Ireland’s Future, Labour’s Election Manifesto: It is a great pleasure to be at this location for today’s launch, one of the most important moments of the campaign. I know how much work Joe Costello has put in to the entire Grangegorman project. This Manifesto is about the future,…

Speaking at the launch of the Labour Party 2016 manifesto ‘Standing Up for Ireland’s Future’:   Good morning and welcome to the launch of the Labour Party manifesto. This is the Labour Party’s offer to the people of Ireland. It’s a radical and responsible programme for continued recovery, for social progress and reform. It’s a…