Munster winner of the Labour Party 1916 Primary School Art competition 'My Republic' - Gaelscoil Mhainitir Na Corann

Posted on June 13, 2016

We were delighed recently to welcome pupils from Gaelscoil Mhainitir Na Corann (Midletown) with winning student Abbie Foley (10 years old) to the Dáil. Abbie was the Munster 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 TD and their local Labour Oireachtas member Deputy Sean Sherlock.

Here's Abbie with her winning entry and you can check out more photographs from their day on our Flickr account. 

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We Need Young People to Rebuild the Labour Party - Brendan Ryan

Posted on June 10, 2016

Opening the Labour Youth Tom Johnson Summer School, Labour Party Whip and TD for Fingal Brendan Ryan emphasised the key role young people will have in the rebuild of the Labour Party.

Deputy Ryan spoke about the role young people will play in upcoming campaigns for the Labour Party and Labour Youth's record in campaigning for workers' rights. 

Follow all the action for the weekend on Twitter, Facebook and Snapchat (thelabourparty)

Permanent link | Categories: Tom Johnson

We need an All-Party Pledge to tackle crime and inequality in North Inner City Dublin

Posted on June 09, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions Brendan Howlin called on the Government to to establish a robust task force dedicated to tackling crime and deprivation in Dublin’s North Inner City. 

Deputy Howlin stressed that it is essential the task force carries real weight and has a cross government department approach in tackling the root causes of crime and deprivation. It must include representation from the North Inner City community. The people who understand most the problems in the area are the people who live and work in the community. 

Permanent link | Categories: Leaders Questions

We've announced our Spokespeople

Posted on June 08, 2016

Today our Party Leader Brendan Howlin announced our spokespeople line up on Kildare Street.

In the Dáil, in the Seanad, and in society at large, they will lead the work of rebuilding our party. And fighting for progressive change in Ireland. The group of 19 spokespersons announced today will begin this important work working with our 50 councillors.

Our councillors and spokespersons, along with members across the length and breadth of the country will begin working to revive a radical policy agenda for the Labour Party;

Brendan Howlin TD

• Labour Party Leader
• Spokesperson on Justice and Northern Ireland

Joan Burton TD

• Spokesperson on the Arts
• Spokesperson on Education and Skills
• Spokesperson on Finance

Alan Kelly TD

• Spokesperson on Health
• Spokesperson on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Jan O’Sullivan TD

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Labour's workers' rights motion is the first defeat for Government

Posted on June 02, 2016

Last night, the Dáil supported the Labour Party’s motion and said #Yes4WorkersRights. This marks the first loss for the new FG/Independent Government and the first time a Government has lost a Private Members' Motion since 1989.

We were delighted to be joined in the Dáil Gallery last night by Clerys' workers, trade unionists and Labour members old and new to see the Dáil back improving working conditions for people by introducing a living wage, tackling zero hour contracts and delivering stronger rights and protections for employees in the workplace.

The passing of our motion has shown New Politics and Labour's constructive opposition at work. We've only just begun - get involved today.

The Labour Leader Brendan Howlin TD introducing Labour's workers' rights motion to the House

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Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment

When will the Government #EndZeroHours?

Posted on May 31, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions our Party Leader Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach when the Government plan to legislate for the recommendations of the University of Limerick Report on Zero Hour Contracts. 

Deputy Howlin pointed out to the Taoiseach that there is only 2 paragraphs on workers' rights in the Programme for Governemnt which is miniscule compated to other topics - and that workers' rights were in danger of being the first area seriously damaged by this Governmet.

Is it the Government's intention to legislate the proposals on Zero Hr Contracts that was advanced by @geraldnash ?-Brendan Howlin #Dáil

— The Labour Party (@labour) May 31, 2016

Permanent link | Categories: Enterprise Trade & Employment

Is Your Local TD Voting #Yes4WorkersRights?

Posted on May 31, 2016

Today we launched our motion calling on the Government to stand up for working people and ensure that employees secure a fair share of growing national prosperity.

Enhancing workers rights is at heart of Labour's agendas https://t.co/qX4EMhXTzY #Yes4WorkersRights pic.twitter.com/6Wwout2cTW

— The Labour Party (@labour) May 31, 2016

In this time of "new politics" we are looking for cross-party support in the Dáil to support workers' rights. Have you contacted your local TD to see if they are saying #Yes4WorkersRights?

We've drafted an email for you to send to your local TD, which you can find below. Your local TD can be contacted on firstname.lastname@oir.ie e.g. sean.sherlock@oir.ie

Email for your local TD:

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This week we are voting #Yes4WorkersRights

Posted on May 30, 2016

Tomorrow we will table our first private members motion of the new Dáil term.

Our motion will improve working conditions for people by introducing a living wage, tackling zero hour contracts and delivering stronger rights and protections for employees in the workplace.

Is your local TD supporting our motion on workers' rights this week in the #Dáil ? Contact them to find out https://t.co/mhzAxWL6FD

— The Labour Party (@labour) May 30, 2016

 The Labour Party was born out of the trade union movement and we have a long history of standing up for working people.

In government we resisted domestic and international pressure and increased the minimum wage twice and introduced collective bargaining to strengthen the ability of workers to negotiate with employers over pay and conditions.

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My first week as Labour leader has been great.- Brendan Howlin on Sunday with Miriam

Posted on May 30, 2016

Brendan Howlin was on Sunday with Miriam yesterday. You can listen back by clicking here .

Brendan spoke to Miriam about his Wexford childhood and the life-long influence his late father has had on his political career.

I grew up in a house that was filled with talk of politics- Brendan Howlin tells @MiriamOCal of life growing up in Wexford.

— The Labour Party (@labour) May 29, 2016

 Brendan spoke to Miriam about the buzz that the Wexford Opera and Light Opera Festivals bring to Wexford and while the current Government has neglected the Arts community - Labour in opposition will be vocal on the side of the art's community.

Good to hear Brendan Howlin @labour enthusing about opera and @wexfordopera on @MiriamOCal @RTERadio1 #Arts

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Offering our solidarity with the people of Inner City Dublin

Posted on May 25, 2016

Today during Leaders' Questions our Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD offered his and the Labour Party's full solidarity and support to the people of Inner City Dublin who are under siege because of criminal activity in the area.

Deputy Howlin said it was important that the Dáil and every Member in it not only stands with the people in the Inner City but is determined to solve the problems they face. 

Deputy Howlin called on the Taoiseach to set up a a multi-agency task force to combat the rise of gangland crime in Dublin’s North Inner City - which the Taoiseach responded positively too and assured Deputy Howlin that all sides of the House will have input into the terms of reference.

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Permanent link | Categories: Justice