Unlocking the Door - Labour's Housing Plan

Posted on July 18, 2016

Earlier today our Housing and Planning Spokesperson, Jan O'Sullivan TD launched our Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016 with Willie Penrose TD and Cllr Duncan Smith.

The purpose of this Bill is to amend various pieces of legislation in order to make improvements to the current serious shortage in supply of housing for sale or for rent at affordable prices, and to ensure a stable and functioning housing market.

This Bill is set in the context of looking at the constitutional balance between the rights of private property and the principle of social justice and the common good. And while it represents a strong and comprehensive legislative response to the issues, it has to be acknowledged that legislation alone, cannot fix everything.

Permanent link | Categories: Environment • Jan OSullivan • Housing

Howlin questions Tánaiste on Section 38 agencies' board and corporate governance compliance

Posted on July 12, 2016

Leaders' Questions today saw the Labour Leader Brendan Howlin seek answers on whether all section 38 agencies are in full compliance with HSE requirements on corporate governance.

Deputy Howlin asked:

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Re-presenting, regrowing, relaunching Labour in Cork

Posted on July 11, 2016

Continuing his tour of Labour Party branches around the country, the Labour Leader Brendan Howlin was in Cork on Monday. The visit started off in Fermoy with Deputy Sean Sherlock, moving onto Cork City with Kathleen Lynch and Ciaran Lynch before taking part in a Q&A session with party members at a packed meeting of various party branches that evening. 

Throughout the day we shared details of the visit on our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat accounts and here's a sample of just some what we posted online. 

Labour in Cork re-presenting Labour, regrowing, relaunching. pic.twitter.com/Bozn2bTlbO

— The Labour Party (@labour) July 11, 2016

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Working better with the SDLP in light of Brexit result

Posted on July 07, 2016

Yesterday our Party Leader Brendan Howlin met Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) leader Colum Eastwood MLA, Claire Hanna and Alex Attwood with Seán Sherlock TD to talk about how our two parties can work better together in light of the shocking Brexit result.

Deputy Howlin and Colum Eastwood will further their discussions at theParty of European Socialists Leaders' meeting in Paris tonight.

Read Brendan Howlin's speech to the Dáil in the aftermath of #Brexit. 

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Collective Bargaining for freelancers passes Committee Stage in Seanad

Posted on July 06, 2016

Our Labour Senators were delighted today that their Bill to ensure collective bargaining for freelance workers passed committee stage in the Seanad with cross-party support.

We caught up with our spokesperson on Labour Affairs Senator Ged Nash to chat about what the Bill means for freelance workers.

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This Government's plan on broadband is short-termism.

Posted on July 06, 2016

During today's Leaders' Questions, Brendan Howlin said the Government's decision on broadband is short-termism & not in the public interest.

Brendan spoke about the battle with Fine Gael whilst we were in Government to protect vital public services and how the Government is going about the roll-out of broadband in the wrong way.

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The Taoiseach is losing his authority both on #Brexit and within his own cabinet-Brendan Howlin

Posted on July 05, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions Party Leader Brendan Howlin said that the Taoiseach is losing his authority after his idea for an All-Island Forum was publicly slapped down by First Minister Arlene Foster.

Deputy Howlin criticised the Government for their divided position on the Fatak Foetal Abnormalities Bill being voted on in the Dáil this week.

Permanent link | Categories: Brendan Howlin • Leaders Questions • Brexit

'Do-Nothing' Dáil kicks progress on schools down the road

Posted on June 29, 2016

Last night our Education Spokesperson Joan Burton brought our Equal Status (Access to Schools) Bill 2016 to the floor of the Dáil. The Bill seeks to make it easier for parents to send their children to their local school, regardless of faith. The vote on the Bill is due to take place on Thursday - find out if your local TD will support it by contacting them on [email protected] (e.g. [email protected])

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Permanent link | Categories: Education

Has the Oireachtas ever been asked by Government to legislate contrary to European law?

Posted on June 28, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions our Party Leader Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste if Water Services Bill going through the Dáil this week is unconstitutional and against EU law.

Deputy Howlin outlined his concerns that the Government was now asking the Oireachtas to pass law that is contrary to European Law and if the passing of the Water Services Bill - essentially suspending water charges would leave us open to a massive legal challenge from the European Commission?

Our country may be exposed to legal action from European Commission - we need to be clear if Government is going to allow this to happen -BH

— The Labour Party (@labour) June 28, 2016

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Permanent link | Categories: Brendan Howlin • Leaders Questions

Mayors in chairs

Posted on June 28, 2016

Last night Cllr Brendan Carr was elected Lord Mayor of Dublin and Cllr Rebecca Moynihan was elected Deputy Lord Mayor. 

You can find out more about Brendan and Rebecca on our website. 

In South Dublin County Council Cllr Martina Genockey was elected Deputy Mayor while Cllr Terry O'Brien was elected Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council.

Well done to everyone and we wish you all the best of luck for a productive term of office. 

You can follow Deputy Lord Mayor Rebecca Moynihan on Twitter and Leas Cathaoirleach Martina Genockey . 

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