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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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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EU must reject impulse to act swiftly and harshly against Britain-Brendan Howlin

Posted on June 27, 2016

Reflecting on the tragic result of the EU Referendum in Britain Brendan Howlin today offered his sympathy and solidarity to the millions of young Britons who voted to remain in the Europeal Union.

Speaking in the Dáil this afternoon Brendan Howlin said "It is critical at his juncture that what happens now makes the best of this bad lot for Irish citizens of the EU. That is the task that faces the Taoiseach and his Government. It is one that we will support them in and hold them accountable for."

I feel emphatically sorry for young Britons who voted to stay in EU -they understand the world is multilayered-Brendan Howlin #dáil #Brexit

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Launching our Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill

Posted on June 27, 2016

Today we launched our Equal Status (Admission to Schools) Bill with the Labour Leader Brendan Howlin, Deputy Joan Burton and Senator Aodhan Ó Riordain. The Bill, which will be debated during Private Members' Time on Tuesday evening while the vote will be held on Wednesday. The Bill seeks to make it easier for parents to send their children to their local school, regardless of faith.

You can read the wording on the BIll in our policy section, and you can also find more information on the Bill here.  

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A wonderful day at Dublin Pride

Posted on June 26, 2016

We had a great day yesterday with all the thousands of other people who turned out in Dublin to celebrate this year's annual Dublin Pride parade. Labour members and reps were joined by the Labour Leader Brendan Howlin who said the parade is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together to celebrate our diversity.

He also said that while the passing of the Marriage Equality referendum last year was a major advance in LGBT rights and one that we can be so proud of as a nation that 'we cannot become complacent when it comes to LGBT rights'.

Well done to all the organisers and to our Labour LGBT for all their work on the day. 

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We want to tackle housing supply, make homes affordable and increase security for tenants

Posted on June 22, 2016

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

Jan O'Sullivan invited several key stakeholders including the Irish Council for Social Housing, Threshold, Focus Ireland, USI and many other interested parties.

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. 

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Permanent link | Categories: Environment

Connacht/Ulster winner of the Labour Party 1916 Primary School Art competition 'My Republic' - Roxboro National School, Co.Roscommon

Posted on June 22, 2016

We were delighted to welcome pupils from Roxboro National School, Co Roscommon with winning student Carole to the Dáil. Carole was the Connacht/Ulster winner of the Labour Party 1916 Primary School Art competition 'My Republic'.

The class enjoyed a tour of the House after meeting the Party Leader Brendan Howlin - maith thú Carole!

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Launching our Social and Affordable Housing Bill live

Posted on June 22, 2016

This morning we're launching our Social and Affordable Housing Bill 2016. You can keep up-to-date with everything that's happening in the meeting from our Twitter account. 

We will look to see if reference rents applies to Student Accomodation - @JanOSullivanTD replying to @TheUSI pic.twitter.com/9xBquS62SV

— The Labour Party (@labour) June 22, 2016

 We'll have more on the Bill and this morning's meeting with organisations and campaign groups with an interest in housing, later on the blog. In the meantime you can read the Bill from the link . 

(You can also read the Bill's memo here and a guide to our Social and Affordable Housing Bill here.)

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Paying our sympathies to Jo Cox MP

Posted on June 21, 2016

Today our Party Leader Brendan Howlin spoke in the Dáil chamber expressing sympathy on the murder of Jo Cox and offering our Party's sympathy to her family and to colleagues in The Labour Party

As others did last week I travelled with Deputy Seán Sherlock TD to Liverpool to campaign for the United Kingdom to remain in the EU.

During the day, we met with Irish community groups, business leaders, and people going about their days. The sun shone for a while. And it rained for a while. It felt like home. As you would expect during a campaign, some people disagreed with us, while others agreed.

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This Government must prioritise investment in public services and infrastructure - Deputy Brendan Howlin

Posted on June 21, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions, Party Leader Brendan Howlin  made the case in the Dáil for the Government  to increase capital spending rather than establish a rainy day fund.

According to reports in todays' newspapers the Government plans to establish a rainy day fund. Deputy Howlin argued the point that instead of establishing a rainy day fund it is now the time to invest in vital public services and infrastructure such as healthcare, broadband, education and childcare.

Deputy Howlin criticised the Government for going over the head of the new Budgetary Committee by setting the parameters of Budget 2017 without consultation.

Permanent link | Categories: Leaders Questions