Tag Archives: Labour Party

Moves to increase the living alone allowance and introduce a Christmas bonus payment are proof older people have not been forgotten in Budget 2015, Clare TD Michael McNamara has asserted. “The slow but steady pick-up in the economy has allowed us to give something back in the recent Budget. We have been able to offer some relief to our older people in particular, who built this country and sacrificed so much in recent years,” he said in reaction to comments on the issues by Minister Brenda Howlin. “I’m glad to see the introduction of a 25% Christmas bonus, which pensioners here in Clare will receive this Christmas. “People around the country are at last beginning to feel some benefit from the recovery, and we want older people to be fully part of that recovery. Labour has always been deeply committed to supporting pensioners and older citizens, and the package of measures we have announced in this Budget show we have …

THE Labour Party and Sinn Féin have added further candidates to the upcoming local elections. The Labour Party have decided to run a second candidate, Dermot Hayes, in Ennis area. Seamus Ryan was already selected by the party. According to the party, they have been getting a positive response on the canvas and believe there is a good opportunity for two candidates to be elected to Clare County Council. Dermot Hayes comes from Kells, Corofin from a family of 13 children. He attended Ennis Community College and, as a mature student, studied Community Development in Galway and Maynooth Universities. He has lived in Ennis since 1974, is married to Marian and they have two teenage daughters. He worked in Belvedere Carpets, Studio Eyewear and Interton Electronics and more recently in a number of community and voluntary organisations, including The Disabled People of Clare, Clare Supported Employment and People With Disabilities in Ireland. Dermot has been unemployed on three occasions and …

By Dan  Danaher THE  Clare Labour Party has been hit with another defection of one of its most active female members in the county. In addition to stepping down from the Labour Party’s Central Council, Paula McNamara, Magowna, Inch, has also resigned from the party. The daughter of former Ennis Hospital Development committee chairman and Labour Party activist, the late Peadar McNamara, has also relinquished a number of administrative roles including public relations officer of the Ennis Labour Branch, county womens’ officer, and co-treasurer. This follows the departure from the party of Ennis town councillor, Paul O’Shea in September 2012 over  cuts to home and community care funding. Acknowledging her family were historically involved in the Labour Party, Ms McNamara admitted her decision to quit wasn’t an easy decision as it was where her ideals were laid. Ms McNamara said she tried to step down in November before the Labour Party annual conference but was encouraged to stay on. However, as the …