Labour LGBT getting ready for Pride celebrations across the country this summer

Summer for Labour LGBT means Pride season!

Labour LGBT were at Cork Pride on the 5th June and Dublin Pride (with the now legendary big red bus!) on 26th June and we are now looking forward to many more parades.

We are aiming to be at Belfast Pride (31st July) NorthWest Pride (7th August) Waterford Pride (14th August), Limerick Pride (11th September) and Galway Pride (dates tbc)

We'd love to see you at any of these events and if you would like to know more, please contact us at lgbt@labour.ie

Labour Youth Tom Johnson Summer School

Labour Youth's Tom Johnson Summer School will take place in Kilkenny from the 2nd to the 4th July this year.

As always, the summer school provides an excellent opportunity for all party members to come together in a social environment, and debate and discuss the issues of the day. Speakers this year will include Mark Hennessy of the Irish Times, Olivia O'Leary, Party Leader Eamon Gilmore TD, Colm O'Gorman of Amnesty International and Deputy Leader Joan Burton TD.

Attendance at the event is just €50, which includes a 3-course meal on the Saturday evening. Anyone interested in attending can register online or by emailing Neil Ward at neil.ward@labour.ie

Labour Survey in the North West

As part of Labour's strategy for the North West we're conducting an extensive survey of social and economic issues west of the Shannon. The results of the survey will feed directly into our policy discussions.

If you are living in the North West or have friends and family in counties Clare, Galway, Roscommon, Leitrim, Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Limerick, Cavan or Monaghan make sure they know of the survey and take a few minutes to complete it online.

Labour Support For the People of Gaza

Labour has been to the forefront of public protests against the assault by the Israeli Defence Forces on the humanitarian flotilla trying to break the siege of Gaza.

In Dublin Joe Costello, Michael D. Higgins and Lord Mayor of Dublin, Emer Costello, were among the hundreds of Labour members who marched and addressed rallies in the aftermath of the attack on the flotilla. Labour members also attended vigils and protests that were held across the country.

As Proinsias de Rossa points out in this edition of Leftfield the stranglehold on Gaza is creating misery for the Palestinian people. Labour will continue to exert all the pressure it can to ensure that the siege is lifted and a viable political solution to the problems in Middle East is agreed.

Labour Intercultural Hits The Ground Running

Labour Intercultural is a new group within Labour Equality. Labour Intercultural works to bring Labour closer to our immigrant communities and to recruit new members from those communities who share our values.

Labour Intercultural meets every six weeks in Head Office in Ely place and a training day is planned for the Autumn. If you are interested in coming along to meetings or getting involved in any other way just email kirsi.hanifin@labour.ie

Labour Enabling Women

Labour Women is organising a number of events that aim to involve more women in the Party and to ensure that they can contribute at the highest level. Earlier this month in Waterford Labour councillors Teresa Wright and Ciara Conway discussed their personal journey into politics with women from a variety of backgrounds. The event was a great success.

On Saturday 2nd October Labour Women will hold a 'Women & Leadership' event in Cork. Speakers will discuss their own leadership roles in the Party and the skills and insight that women need to advance in politics. More details will follow in the next edition of Leftfield. For more information contact kirsi.hanifin@labour.ie

Seminar on Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy

Labour's spokesperson on the Marine, Senator Michael McCarthy, has organised seminar on CFP reform. The event will take place on Friday 9th July from 10am - 1pm in the appropriately named Marine Hotel in Glandore, Co. Cork.

Speakers will include Richie Flynn from IFA Aquaculture, Jason Whooley of BIM, Eibhlin O'Sullivan Irish South and West Fish Producers Organisation and Sean Sherlock, TD.

For more information contact michael.mccarthy@oireachtas.ie

Environmental and Sustainability Policy Group

The Co-Chairs of Labour's Environmental and Sustainability Policy Group, Joanna Tuffy, TD and Bronwen Maher are inviting Labour Party members to get involved and contribute to the development of Labour's policies in these areas.

This initiative follows on from the highly successful Forum with environmental NGOs that took place in April.

It is intended that the group will meet initially in September and that there will be a conference on Environment and Sustainability before the end of the year. So if you are a Labour member interested in bringing your experience, expertise or interest in Environment and Sustainability to the party by being involved in this group, please email Cathy Flanagan at campaigns@labour.ie

Senator Hannigan conducts research into Ireland's Overseas Aid Development Programme

The Irish people are committed to helping the developing world through our Overseas Aid programme. Senator Dominic Hannigan, a member of the House of the Oireachtas Committee on Overseas Development, is currently undertaking research into the programme.

As part of this work he is looking for the input from party members. He has designed a short (two minute) questionnaire and he would be very grateful if you would take the time to complete it.