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

Tom Johnson Summer School 2016 – Re-examining the Republic

Posted on June 20, 2016

Over the weekend Labour Youth hosted the annual Labour Party Tom Johnson Summer School. One of the party’s key 1916 centenary commemoration events, this year’s theme was titled Re-examining the Republic and was held in Wynn’s Hotel, Dublin, which played a key role in the 1916 Rising.

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Submission by Senator Ged Nash to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation on the Cahill-Duffy Report

Posted on June 17, 2016

As Labour Party Spokesman on Labour Affairs and Workers Rights, I make this submission on behalf of the Party, as our response to the proposals in the Cahill-Duffy report.

My then colleague Minister Bruton and I commissioned this report so as to ensure that limited liability and corporate restructuring could not again be used to avoid a company’s obligations to its employees. The examination was to look specifically at situations where assets of significant value are separated from the operating entity.

The move to commission this report was inspired by the overnight closure of Clerys, in a manner which I believe scandalised the nation. Hundreds of dedicated and loyal workers were left on the street, treated as collateral damage in a multi-million euro corporate power play.

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#Brexit is likely to impact those who can least afford it - Brendan Howlin

Posted on June 16, 2016

Today Deputy Brendan Howlin and Seán Sherlock TD are in Liverpool campigning against a potential #Brexit - here is the speech our Party Leader gave to the Remain Campaign in Liverpool.

Dep Brendan Howlin, @ConorMcGinn & dep @seansherlocktd in Liverpool campaigning for a #remain vote in #brexit pic.twitter.com/IwOTHaE8hy

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Leinster winner of the Labour Party 1916 Primary School Art competition 'My Republic' - Gorey Educate Together

Posted on June 16, 2016

We were delighted recently to welcome pupils from Gorey Educate Together with winning student Yasmine to the Dáil. Yasmine was the Leinster 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 and local TD Brendan Howlin - well done Yasmine!

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We must do more for women affected by domestic abuse

Posted on June 15, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions Party Leader Brendan Howlin brought up the harrowing statistics of violent abuse against women in Women's Aid 2015 Report. Deputy Howlin called on the Taoiseach to enact legislation to protect women against domestic violence and called on the Dáil to do more than just debate the Report and set up a 24/7 helpline for women affected by domestic abuse to receive support.

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

We will make a significant impact on Oireachtas Committees

Posted on June 15, 2016

Earlier today our Party Leader Brendan Howlin announced what committee memberships our TDs will be taking on as part of our work in the Dáil.

Under the new d'Hondt system Seán Sherlock will chair the Committee on Public Sector Oversight and Petitions as well as being a member of the Joint Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform.

Deputy Joan Burton will sit on the newly established Budgetary Arrangements Committee as well as the Joint Committee on Education and Skills.

As our Spokesperson on Health, Deputy Alan Kelly will sit on the Health Committee as well as sitting on the Public Accounts Committee.

Our Spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan will sit on the Joint Committee on Children and Youth Affairs

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Deputy Brendan Howlin tabled questions on funding for housing today during Leaders Questions..

Posted on June 14, 2016

During Leaders Question today in the Dáil, the Labour Leader Brendan Howlin welcomed the Government's decision of an infrastructural fund of €250 million to be used for housing. However Deputy Howlin questioned how Local Authorities were to match the funding and when the money would be drawn down. You can watch the full exchange below.

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Let's Defeat the Cynics - Brendan Howlin addressing Tom Johnson Summer School 2016

Posted on June 14, 2016

At the annual Tom Johnson Summer School, Brendan Howlin gave his first address to Labour Party members as Labour Party Leader. Deputy Howlin spoke about the gains Labour made in Government and how we will highlight issues rooted in core Labour values in opposition.

Deputy Howlin spoke about whilst others on the left talk, the Labour Party do the hard yards. "But alone on the left Labour realises the link between social progress and economic success. In our last two periods in office we have left the economy and the public finances in better condition than we found them. Who else can say that?"

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