Housing set to 'dominate' Labour Party's 74th National Conference in Limerick

THE Labour Party will hold its 74th National Conference tomorrow, in Limerick. 

This is the first time members will gather following the election of 11 TDs and two Senators, as well as a Dublin MEP elected in June 2024.

Ending the housing crisis, driving the climate agenda and transforming public services will dominate the conference discussion. 

Speaking in advance of the Conference, Labour TD for Limerick City, Conor Sheehan said this Government is failing to provide any hope or vision for change when it comes to housing.

READ MORE: Anger as new community safety scheme replacing policing meetings branded a “muppet show”

Deputy Sheehan said:

“I am so proud to welcome Labour Party members to Limerick this weekend for our 74th National Party conference. As the oldest party in the State, conference is a crucial event in the year for members to gather to discuss and debate the policies that our Party pursues."

“Limerick has heart, soul and grit but it also has many problems. An overburdened health service, a drugs crisis that has ravaged working class communities and a housing crisis that sees over 50 people rough sleeping every single night and leaves thousands of young adults stuck at home with their parents, if they haven’t emigrated."

Deputy Sheehan continued: “Limerick needs more than the apathy this clapped out gutless Government cobbled together by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Lowry and Western alliance. That is why our job here is so important because Limerick needs Labour back in Government."

“Following the pathetic new housing plan announced this week, there’s no doubt that the housing crisis will dominate the debate and conversations between members. Housing is the civil and workers’ rights issue of a generation, and many young people have lost hope of ever owning their own home due to successive failures of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to grasp the brief."

“People have lost any sense of hope in the future. This Government is failing to give people the security of a good life. Effectively telling people to grit their teeth and bear another 15 to 20 years of this housing disaster. People are putting off huge life decisions due to housing insecurity, while renters are caught in a relentless cycle of paying good money to fund investors’ lifestyles."

“Following a Galway Tent style Budget announced in October, we are seeing quality of life eroded under Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and their Lowry lackeys. Wages are not keeping pace with the cost of existing in Ireland. Over 300,000 people are currently in energy arrears, yet families were offered nothing by the way of targeted energy supports. There is no plan, no strategy and no vision for the Ireland that we could be."

Deputy Sheehan concluded: “We need better - better schools, a cleaner environment, safer communities for all and secure and affordable housing. We have the resources, we have the people but we need a Government that will rise to the occasion."

“This weekend, Labour members will gather to debate the ideas and policies that this Government is failing to deliver on. We are relentlessly focused on the future because we know that this moment matters, and the time is now to deliver for Ireland. We look forward to gathering together in Limerick.”