#OurFuture - Labour's Alternative budget

Posted on October 05, 2017

We have made clear that we don't believe there is enough space for any tax cuts in this Budget. Instead, we have argued for the construction of 5,000 public homes, and the funding of Sláintecare (a new national strategy to build our public healthcare system) as the central points of our proposals.

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are having a phoney war over tax cuts that will amount to between €2 and €4 per week for middle-income families. We have said that cutting school costs, reducing college fees by €1,000 next year, eliminating hospital inpatient charges, and increasing the public subsidy of childcare would save families a lot more

Read the full entry »

Permanent link | Categories: Agriculture • Arts Sport & Tourism • Children • Communications • Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs • Consumer Affairs • Defence • Education • Enterprise Trade & Employment • Environment • Equality • Finance • Foreign & European Affairs • Health • Justice • Marine & Natural Resources • Northern Ireland • Social & Family Affairs • Transport

Labour turn the heat up on Sinn Féin

Posted on September 22, 2011

Speaking on the Dáil motion on the sale of a minority stake in the ESB, Labour deputies highlighted the utter hypocrisy of Sinn Féin.

In typical Sinn Fein 'doublespeak' they claim that this proposed minority sale, which we are committed to by way of a sovereign commitment in the EU/IMF deal, will result in the State losing its majority ownership of ESB. This is utter nonsense and is deliberately attempting to mislead the public.

Read the full entry »

Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Marine & Natural Resources • Energy •

Gilmore calls plans to rebrand ESB/Bord Gais at cost of €80m 'daft'

Posted on October 13, 2010

The proposed rebranding of ESB/Bord Gais came under fire from the Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD this morning during Leaders' Questions. Gilmore was questioning the Taoiseach about fuel poverty and the Government's failure to publish its strategy on fuel poverty as promised for the end of 2009.

Gilmore said: "The Government will spend €40m on the ESB and Bord Gais each for putting up new nameplates, letterheads and for new advertising at a time when the country is short of money.

"Those monies would be better spent providing some assistance to those families who cannot meet their fuel bills. Those families are being switched off by the two suppliers in question which then charge them €200 to switch off and another €200 to be reconnected."

Read the full entry »

Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Marine & Natural Resources • Energy • Leaders Questions

Customer will foot the bill for ESB/Bord Gais plans for 'bling' rebranding

Posted on October 13, 2010

Last night Deputy Liz McManus proposed our motion seeking measures to tackle fuel poverty during Private Members' Motions in the Dáil.

The Government has promised action on fuel poverty but they have not delivered, Deputy McManus told the House.

"It has been estimated that around 60,000 Irish households live in persistent fuel poverty and a further 160,000 or so experience intermittent fuel poverty," she said.

Deputy McManus also questioned plans for the €80m rebranding of Bord Gais and ESB as customers are struggling to pay their bills.

Read the full entry »

Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Marine & Natural Resources

Forum on Universal Health Insurance

Posted on January 24, 2008

Spokesperson on Health

Over the next couple of weeks we will be hosting two public forums, one to be held this weekend entitled 'Universal Health Insurance' and the next on February 9th entitled 'Unite 4 our planet' which asks if an integrated approach can help tackle climate change (more on that later in this post).

This weekend's forum will be chaired by our Health Spokesperson Deputy Jan O'Sullivan in Dublin's Mansion House beginning at 10.30am and finishing up at 1.30pm.

The forum will be of particular relevance to anybody with an interest in or involved with the health services.

Read the full entry »

Permanent link | Comments | Categories: Agriculture • Environment • Health • Marine & Natural Resources • Transport • Jan OSullivan • Sean Sherlock