A LARGE contingent of Labour Party members from Limerick attended the party’s 68th annual conference in Killarney at the weekend.
Two motions were proposed by Limerick members.
Dr Gerry Burke successfully moved a motion setting a goal for the party to eliminate child poverty by providing increased supports for children and families in annual budgets as the economy recovers.
While former City Councillor Tom Shortt sparked a lively debate with a proposal to introduce a third level Student Loans Scheme to assist middle income families who cannot afford the cost of college registration fees and maintenance costs.
The conference opposed the sale of the 25 per cent government stake in Aer Lingus on the basis that the airline is trading well and that the current IAG bid undervalues the company, fails to provide sufficient protection for existing Aer Lingus employees and fails to guarantee connectivity, the Heathrow slots and the role of Shannon and Cork airports.
Speaking at the conference deputy leader Alan Kelly TD described Labour as a party that was prepared to take responsibility and provide decisive leadership to rescue the economy, reduce unemployment and achieve positive improvements in people’s lives in key areas such as housing and education.
