Cork South Central Labour TD Ciarán Lynch, welcomed the news that funding of €50,000 has been confirmed for Cork International Choral Festival this week, saying that it would help the event to expand and grow into the future. Deputy Lynch added: “This vital funding, approved by Fáilte Ireland under its 2016 National Festivals and Events…

The public confidence in and the credibility of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is completely shot following last night’s Prime Time investigation. The programme completely exposed the failings and shortcomings in the corporate culture, governance, reliability and competence of the EPA as it is currently constituted. Underpinned by legislation the EPA is virtually unaccountable and…

“We need to put the same effort into highlighting Ireland as a global arts and culture centre as we do as a business location” The Tánaiste and Leader of the Labour Party, Joan Burton TD, is proposing to host a major Global Arts Forum for Ireland and believes work on it should get underway by…

I welcome the announcement that the Springboard + Initiative in Higher Education is offering free courses in Cork and elsewhere around the country this term in a number of different and growing sectors. Springboard + Initiative is an opportunity for people out of work to get a foot back on the ladder of education and…

I am calling on Sinn Fein TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh to state whether or not he supports the comments of his Northern colleague and Education Minister John O’Dowd, telling people to think very carefully about entering the teaching profession. Speaking yesterday, Minister O’Dowd said that due to the budget cuts that Sinn Fein negotiated, agreed,…

Micheal Martin, the man whose election campaign is about whether he can remain (supposed) leader of the opposition, claims Fianna Fáil are a bit to the left. Historically, he says. Ancient history more like. Nearly a hundred years more like. He claims Fine Gael are a right wing party. There is no end to his…

Minister for Education and Skills and Labour TD for Limerick City, Jan O’Sullivan, today warmly welcomed the establishment of a Jigsaw, a new youth mental service for Limerick. “Jigsaw is a fantastic service, provided by the organisation Headstrong. It is already making a very positive impact on youth mental health in ten communities across the…

Speaking at Labour Women Nollaig na mBan Event It’s a real privilege to be here with you this evening and I want to wish you all a very happy Nollaig na mBan. Last week, as you know, President Higgins convened the Council of State to advise on the International Protection Bill. There’s a large oil…