Local TD in leadership bid

Dublin People 29 Feb 2020
Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Aoife O’Brien

A NORTHSIDE TD is bidding to become the next leader of the Labour Party. 

Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, who won a seat in Dublin Bay North in the general election, is battling with Alan Kelly TD to replace Brendan Howlin. 

Deputy Ó Ríordáin said his leadership would prioritise workers’ rights and establish a legal right to be represented by a trade union.

Speaking at the launch of his campaign in Sheriff Street, he said Labour has always been Ireland’s party for progressive change but “that message didn’t cut through in the 2020 election”.  As leader, he vowed to rebuild that reputation for progressive change by legislating “to enshrine in law the right for all workers to be represented by a union for the purposes of collective bargaining”. 

“If this is deemed unconstitutional, either by the Attorney General or the Supreme Court, we will build a movement in support of a referendum to give people the right to be represented by a trade union,” he said.

Deputy Ó Ríordán also said that his leadership would create an agenda to “end failed market-driven polices for health, housing and childcare”. Instead his policies would deliver a series of ‘people’s budgets’ that go beyond economic performance to deliver sustainable economic equality. 

“People in Ireland are hurting because, no matter how hard they work, they can’t give their children the start they want to,” he said. 

“The younger generation travels further to work longer hours in insecure jobs, and they feel trapped in expensive rented accommodation.

“Our older generation is living and working longer, with ever fewer able to save enough for a decent retirement.” 

All Labour Party members are eligible to vote in the contest to replace Deputy Howlin, who resigned as Labour leader following the general election, and the poll will take place on April 3.  

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