This morning.
Labour Party leadership candidate Aodhán O Ríordáin speaking at the launch of his campaign in Dublin to be the next party leader. He will face off against Alan Kelly.
Meanwhile…
See here the recording of the live-stream of our @labour leadership launch:https://t.co/QEPoMGJTPS pic.twitter.com/pO6OCnGUdU
— Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (@AodhanORiordain) February 21, 2020
This afternoon.
Bawnogue, Deansrath Estate, Clondalkin, Dublin 22.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald with Dublin Mid West candidates Eoin Ó’Broin (right) and Mark Ward (left) urging the freezing of rents to alleviate the housing crisis.
Ms McDonald said recent polls “reflects the energy and momentum for Sinn Féin and for change”.
Meanwhile…
This afternoon.
The Irish Architectural Archive, Merrion Square Dublin 2.
Above from left: Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin, Housing spokesperson Jan O’Sullivan and Duncan Smith, candidate for Fingal, launch the party’s General Election 2020 housing strategy, which includes a proposed rent freeze.
Advisor Ruins Election Video… #GE2020 #VoteAhern #DublinSouthWest pic.twitter.com/avkCmR6z6G
— Ciarán Ahern (@ciaranahern) January 31, 2020
Labour first-time candidate in Dublin South West Ciarán Ahern posts another spoof video as part of his bid to get elected.
In fairness.
This afternoon.
Iveagh Garden Hotel, Dublin.
Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin launches his party’s Generel Election 2020 manifesto.
Asked about entering government with Sinn Fein, Mr Howlin said:
“There’s two phases in that. I think one of the mistakes all of us in the left made in the past is we were picked off, attacking each other.
The Greens went into government with Fianna Fáil and they were demolished. We went into government and we were demolished.
We need to have an alliance of progressive thinkers who could set out a platform of investment to solve this crisis. Once we have that, I’m happy to sit down with Sinn Féin.”
“I’m happy to sit down with Sinn Féin but the caveat I’ve entertered and I entered this on every occasion, is there is a fundamental issue of trust. Now I have served in government and it collapsed on the basis of trust, government, between different parties, only can survive on the basis of trusting one another.”
Hmm.
Brendan Howlin Would Consider Working In Government With Sinn Fein (Irish Examiner)
Stop that.
It’s not a pacifier.
Or is it?
This afternoon,
Labour Party HQ, Dublin.
The Labour Party published proposals for new public childcare options.
To wit:
The party has pledged to roll out a pilot scheme which will at first benefit 6,000 children and will be targeted initially at parents who cannot afford to work and pay for childcare costs.
The applications process will involve a parent declaring their income and showing two quotes from commercial providers.
Initially if the childcare cost is more than 30 per cent of the parent’s net income, they will be eligible for inclusion in the scheme.
A spouse’s income is not included which means the calculations will be based only on one parent’s income, the party said.
From top: )l-r) Deputy Chair of Labour Women Hannah Deasy with baby Oliver (8 months), Labour election candidate Andrew Montague with his son Phillip (1.5 years), and Lorraine Mulligan with Harry Power (6 months); Aodhán Ó Ríordáin with Oliver Deasy Celin and Andrew Montague with son Phillip; Senator Ó Ríordáin and baby Harry Power (6 months).
Any excuse.
Labour vows to slash the cost of childcare by up to two thirds (Irish Times)
This morning.
Labour Party HQ, Dublin.
Pic 3, from left: Director of Elections Ivana Bacik, Leader of the Labour Party Brendan Howlinand Alan Kelly surrounded by Labour candidates at the launch of Labour Party General Election campaign bearing the slogan: ‘Building An Equal Society’.
Hmm.
Also: where’s Joan Burton, anyone?
This is the first time there will be a General Election on a Saturday since 1918
We topped the poll that day, let’s do it again!
Vótáil Sinn Féin #1 🇮🇪#GE2020 pic.twitter.com/CRBlrks1T5
— Sinn Féin (@sinnfeinireland) January 14, 2020
This afternoon.
Leinster House, Dublin 2.
Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald (top centre) talking to the media on the start of General Election 2020.
Meanwhile….
A wee announcement:
I will be asking the people of Cavan Monagan to elect me to the Dáil.
This election is an opportunity to end the rip-off of Irish families and the neglect of our communities by Fianna Fáil & Fine Gael.
It’s time for change – it’s time for Sinn Féin! pic.twitter.com/pHG3dnbLhS— Matt Carthy MEP (@mattcarthy) January 14, 2020
Meanwhile…
This afternoon.
Labour Party HQ, Aungier Street, Dublin 2
Labour Party Leader Brendan Howlin (centre) and Director of Elections Ivana Bacik (left) speaking to the about the forthcoming General Election.
Pamela Kearns, Labour Party Councillor on South Dublin County Council and pre-school teacher
“Babies masturbate”: parents at a packed meeting on radical sex-ed shocked at Labour councillor claim#gript pic.twitter.com/qGTHd9RWGz
— gript (@griptmedia) November 27, 2019
Oh,
Alternatively…
Right…this is going to be a long thread but it needs reporting. A relatively new, self-declared “grassroots” campaign group @LetKidsBeKidsIE opposed to proposed changes to sex education in schools held a public meeting in Templeogue this evening.
— Seán McCárthaigh (@seanmccarthaigh) November 26, 2019
Above from left: Alan Kelly TD with Senator Ged Nash and Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin and Joan Burton TD (top right)
No, really.
We only hit you because we love you.
Please?.
Yesterday.
Royal College of Physicians Ireland, Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
The Labour Party launched its Alternative Budget 2020….
Labour leader Brendan Howlin warned the Fine Gael economic “recovery” is failing to work for large parts of the country, saying some areas still face 8% unemployment rates while one in four are working low-paying jobs.
With the threat of a no deal Brexit looming on the horizon, he said vulnerable people must be protected, in next Tuesday’s budget, with specific measures needed to improve employment levels in areas outside of Dublin…
Meanwhile…
Above from left: Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD, Finance Spokesperson Neasa Hourigan and Leader Eamon Ryan TD launching their pre-budget submission yesterday
Yesterday.
Irish Georgian Society, Dublin 2.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan has thrown down the environmental gauntlet to Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil by insisting next week’s budget must be the start of a decade of green policies to save the country.
Mr Ryan made the claim at the launch of his party’s alternative budget, saying “a decade-long strategy for a carbon neutral Ireland” is vital if a “secure future for the next generation” is to be achieved.
Stop that.
The ‘Green Wave’ hasn’t happened yet.
This afternoon.
Irish Georgian Society, Dublin
Green Party Deputy Leader Catherine Martin TD (left), Candidate for Europe Ciaran Cuffe (centre) and party leader Eamon Ryan TD at their party’s final press conference before the European and Local elections.
Meanwhile..
This afternoon.
Leader of the Labour Party Brendan Howlin TD speaking to the media outside St Stephens Green, Dublin 2 for the final press conference with his party’s candidate for Europe Alex White (to Mr Howlin’s right) before voting on Friday.
