Budget Build Up 2011

Labour in Government is committed to genuineand far-reaching reform and although we are just eight months into ourterm of office, with Brendan Howlin as Minister for Public Expenditureand Reform, we have already made significant progress in that regard. We have:

 

1. Reduced the pay of the Taoiseach andministers

2. Cut spending on ministers’ transport

3. Reformed the way senior civil servantsare appointed

4. Cut retirement packages for secretariesgeneral

5. Introduced pay ceilings for seniorpublic servants

6. Reduced the number of Oireachtas committees

7. Reduced future public service pensions costs

8. Published legislation to reduce judges’pay

9. Put a pay cap on semi state and publicsector bosses

10. Announced a sweeping programme ofpublic sector reform

See the links below for further information on the progress made to date by Labour in government.

Budget 2011 Labour V FF

 For those who want to see what the Labour Party would have done different from the disaster that is this FF/Green government! Click

LABOUR DAIL MOTION PROPOSES MAJOR CHANGES TO SYTEM OF GOVERNMENT

The Dail will this week debate a Labour Party Private Members Motion making 29 separate proposals for reform of our system of government and public administration.
 
The proposals cover a wide range of measures including cabinet confidentiality, freedom of information, whistleblowers legislation, political contributions and electoral spending limits, registration of lobbyists, Dail reform, the establishment of a Fiscal Advisory Council and new legislation to clarify the respective roles of Ministers and Departmental civil servants.

Key Points from Labour Party Policy on the Economy

The following is an overview of how the Labour Party proposes to begin the process of fixing our economy and getting this country back to work.

 

 

Will ‘PERSONAL USE’ Restrictions Now Apply To Ministerial Cars?

Today’s controversy over proposed changes in the administration of motor tax for commercial vehicles bears all the hallmarks of yet another Government cock-up.

I wonder if similar restrictions on using work-related vehicles for personal use is to apply to Ministerial cars.

FURTHER DELAY ON CYSTIC FIBROSIS UNIT

Revelation that plans to provide additional single rooms for cystic fibrosis patients at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin has been held up again will come as a bitter disappointment to CF patients and their families.

Gilmore welcomes David into Labour Party

“I   am  delighted  to  announce  that  Passage  West Town
Councillor, David O’Byrne, has joined the Labour Party.

“David  was elected to Passage West Town Council for the first time in June
and  has  proven  to  be  a  capable  and effective councillor.  This is an
important  development  for  the  Labour  Party  in  a town where we do not
currently have a councillor.

Joining the Labour Party

Over the last number of months as the enormity of the current crisis has hit us all I have been impressed by the strong leadership and focus of the Labour Party. Having seen how Eamon Gilmore responded to the crisis and knowing how well Labour’s local team of Ciaran Lynch TD and Cllr Paula Desmond work for the people of Cork I have decided to join the Labour Party.

I believe that Ireland has changed in the last 12 months and that there is a new landscape in Irish politics. It is healthy to look at ones situation after a period of change to see if you also need to make some changes. This was not an easy decision to make and it was not made lightly but I feel it is the right move for me.

In the grand scheme of things I realise that as a town councillor I can only play a small role, however I wish to serve the people of Passage West & Monkstown to the utmost of my ability. I believe that I can do that best as a member of the Labour party.

These difficult times call for focused leadership; focus on jobs, focus on social fairness and focus on getting our economy back in shape. I feel that the Labour party has consistently offered that leadership over the past few months and I am looking forward to working hard with my new Labour Party colleagues for my constituents.