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Not to be confused with Labour Youth Forum or Young Labour.

Labour Youth
Óige an Lucht Oibre
ChairpersonTadgh Quill-Manley
National SecretaryDhruv Kadam
Founded1979 (1979)
IdeologySocial democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Democratic socialism
Mother partyRepublic of Ireland Labour Party
International affiliationInternational Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)
European affiliationYoung European Socialists (YES)
NewspaperThe Left Tribune
Websitelabouryouth.ie Edit this at Wikidata

Labour Youth is the youth wing of the Labour Party of Ireland. Membership is open to those aged from 15 to 30 years old.[1][2]

History

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1979–2000

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Labour Youth succeeded the Young Labour League as a full section of the Labour Party in 1979, under party leader Frank Cluskey. Members were active in the election of presidential candidate Mary Robinson, forming a base of membership during the campaign that would provide the backbone of leadership within the organisation for years to come. They provided leadership to the National Youth Council of Ireland and in 1992 were among the founding members of the European Council of Socialist Youth. In 1999, along with the main party, Labour Youth merged with Democratic Left Youth.[citation needed]

2000–present

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The Spring 2007 issue of Labour Youth's internal publication, The Left Tribune, shows support for abortion and same sex marriage, along with contributions from Michael D. Higgins.[3] In the 2007 general election Labour Youth opposed a pre-election pact with Fine Gael. Also in 2007, it supported the Venezuelan revolution.[4] The Autumn 2007 issue of The Left Tribune promotes Labour Youth's support of Cuba and its endorsement of the International Brigade in Spain, with then Labour Youth Recruitment Officer Enda Duffy featuring in a photograph of a panel at a commemoration event and the noted naming of the UCD Labour Youth branch in honour of Michael O'Riordan.[5] Also in 2009, it collaborated with the Connolly Youth Movement (linked with the Communist Party) on environmental campaigns.[6] The group undertook an active and visible role in the 2011 Irish general election in support of young candidates such as Ciara Conway, Patrick Nulty and Derek Nolan. They later called on the party to abandon talks on forming a coalition government with Fine Gael, describing the proposal as undemocratic.[7]

Since the turn of the 2000s, Labour Youth has run campaigns on repealing the 8th Amendment,[8][9][10] opposing sexism,[11][12][13] extending voting rights to 16 and 17 year olds,[14] workers rights,[15] same-sex marriage,[16] sexual consent[17] and ending Direct Provision,[18] along with other issues related to students and young people. Labour Youth also takes an active role in supporting young Labour candidates in elections. In 2009, the organisation donated €14,000 to 'young candidates'.[19]

In 2015, Labour Youth released a policy paper on ending Zero Hour contracts and stated that Ireland was leading the way in LGBTQ+ rights.[20][21] In February 2015, Chairperson Jack Eustace stated that more companies 'should follow Eircom's lead' in job creation.[22] In 2016, it released a document opposing homophobia, transphobia and sexism.[23] In May 2016, at a gathering of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) youth group and the Labour Party youth group in Belfast, joint chairs Grace Williams (LY) and Conal Browne (SDLP) emphasised the importance of young people supporting the EU.[24] In June 2016, Labour Youth released a statement saying that they were 'deeply shocked' by the UK-EU Referendum result.[25]

In 2017, Labour Youth released a document proposing state funded tuition for higher level education.[26] In November 2016, former USI President Kevin Donoghue had been elected Chairperson of Labour Youth at the organisation's annual conference.[27] In 2017, Labour Youth condemned the income-contingent loan scheme and launched a campaign for workers to be paid the Living Wage.[28][29] In December 2017, actions by Labour Youth in Maynooth had been condemned as “juvenile” and “disrespectful” after ‘F*** the Pope’ was posted twice from their official social media account. An image of the Communications Officer of Labour Youth, Liam Haughey, was posted with him holding a sign which read “I am pro-choice because… F*** the Pope”. The Labour Party released a statement acknowledging the posts, saying they were brought to the party’s General Secretary but had since been removed.[30]

In March 2018, Labour Youth welcomed the board of Trinity College’s decision to make concessions on two of the Take Back Trinity movement’s demands – to scrap the €450 charge for supplemental exams and granting fee certainty fees for postgraduate and international students.[31] Labour Youth also called on Ryanair to 'address the concerns of pilots'.[32] In late 2018, in the midst of Ireland's housing crisis, Labour Youth distanced itself from claims by the Labour Party leadership that direct actions such as occupations of buildings were not a valid form of political protest. This was followed by then Labour Youth Chairperson Chloe Manahan stating "Civil disobedience and protest have been core to this movement since its inception. It is crucial that Labour activists feel supported and empowered to do what is moral, just and right – not simply what is allowed”.[33]

Labour Youth played an active role in the 2019 Irish local elections supporting several of their members who ran for local councils. Former Chair Kevin Donoghue was elected to Dublin City Council while former Secretary Ciara Galvin was elected to Kildare County Council.[34][35] Labour Youth members canvassed for the United Kingdom's Labour Party in the 2019 United Kingdom general election.[36] In 2019, Labour Youth reiterated its support of the EU.[37][38][39] In September 2019, a Labour Youth campaign on 'decent housing for all' was launched by Chairperson Patrick Ahern.[40]

Following his election at the Labour Youth National Conference in Waterford city, which was held on the weekend before 25 November 2019, Cormac Ó Braonáin was Labour Youth's Chairperson until his death on 15 December 2019.[41][42][43][44][45][46] In the weeks following his death Adrian McCarthy announced his candidacy for chair and was subsequently elected in March 2020.[47]

The year 2020 saw the re-expansion of Labour Youth branches at council level, such as the Labour Youth Lucan-Palmerstown Branch.[48] June 2020 also saw long term Labour Youth activist and former National Youth Executive officer Declan Meenagh co-opted to Dublin City Council to replace Senator Marie Sherlock.[49] Legally blind, Meenagh has long been known for his local activism in the Cabra-Glasnevin area along with his work on disability rights.[50]

Labour Youth released a post-coronavirus society document in July 2020. In it included the retention of rent freezes, permanent state-ownership of hospitals, a 'revamp' of industrial relations, opposition to 'green' capitalism, the implementation of Slaintecare and a 'vast' housing programme, universal childcare, commitment to co-operatives, public ownership, cultural vibrancy, LQBTQ+ friendly spaces, the ending of worker exploitation, an overhaul of education and climate justice.[51]

Structure

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As a prominently student organisation, Labour Youth has long had a presence in many universities and (formerly) institutes of technology across Ireland. Originally confined to the larger universities such as Trinity, UCD and UCC, in more recent years efforts have been made to expand.[52]

Labour Youth is currently represented in:

Constituency/Combined Constituency level:

Council level:

  • Labour Youth Lucan-Palmerstown Branch[48]

Executive

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The National Executive Committee (NEC) is responsible for the day-to-day running of Labour Youth. Officers are elected for two year terms to the NEC at every second Youth Conference, held in November each year.[53] The Labour Party Youth & Development Officer, currently Sumyrah Khan, is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the NEC.[54]

Current Executive

Executive Position Officer Constituency
National Chairperson Tadgh Quill-Manley Cork North-Central
National Vice Chairperson and Gender Equality Officer Sarah Whyte Louth
National Secretary Dhruv Kadam Dublin Central
International Secretary Robert O'Donnell Tipperary
Policy & Education Officer Emmanuela Jagha Longford
Membership & Recruitment Officer Conal O'Boyle Donegal[55]
Campaigns Officer Dylan Gallagher Dublin Fingal
Communications Officer James Joy Cork North-Central[56]

Former National Chairs

Leader Term
John Kelleher 1979–1980
Michael Martin 1980–1983
Ray McLoughlin 1983–1985
Michael Barry 1985–1988
Vincent Byrne 1988–1989
Paddy Glackin 1989–1991
Edward Dawson 1991–1993
Desmond Cullen 1993–1994
Fearghal O'Boyle 1994–1996
David Leech 1996–1997
Mark Garrett 1997–1999
Cian O'Callaghan 1999–2001
Alan Kelly 1999–2001
Áine Morris 2001–2002
Rebecca Moynihan 2002–2004
Donal Lyons 2004–2005
Graham Ó Maonaigh 2005–2006
Patrick Nulty 2006–2007
Enda Duffy 2007–2008
Gary Honer 2008–2009
Rory Geraghty 2009–2010
Colm Lawless 2010–2011
Conor Ryan 2011–2012
Aideen Carberry 2012–2013
Ciarán Garrett 2013–2014
Jack Eustace 2014–2015
Grace Williams 2015–2016
Kevin Donoghue 2016–2017
Chloe Manahan 2017–2018
Patrick Ahern 2018–2019
Cormac Ó Braonáin 2019
Adrian McCarthy 2020
Sarah Noville 2020-2021
James Kearney 2021-2022
Hugh Murphy 2022-2023
Lhamo Fitzsimons 2023
Tadgh Quill-Manley 2023-present

Tom Johnson Summer School

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The Tom Johnson Summer School is held annually in July and has been going since 1994. It is named after Thomas Johnson, the first leader of the Labour Party and the only leader of the party to date to serve as the leader of the opposition in Dáil Éireann. At Tom Johnson, panel discussions are held on a number of topics connected to the broad theme, with speakers from within and outside of the Party.

Publications

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Labour Youth publishes The Left Tribune on a regular basis.

References

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  1. ^ [1]. Labour Youth (official website).
  2. ^ "NYCI".
  3. ^ Labour Youth (2007), Left Tribune, Vol. 2, No. 5, Labour Youth, retrieved 18 June 2020
  4. ^ Ireland, Hands Off Venezuela-. "Irish Labour Youth supports Venezuelan revolution and Hands Off Venezuela campaign". In Defence of Marxism. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  5. ^ Labour Youth (2007), Left Tribune, Vol. 2, No. 6, Labour Youth, retrieved 18 June 2020
  6. ^ Loughlin, Seamus. "Ireland: Labour Youth, the Connolly Youth Movement, the Greens and the March 30th Strikes". In Defence of Marxism. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Labour Youth call on party to ditch coalition talks". Independent.ie. 3 March 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  8. ^ "Labour shies away from youth wing's 'free legal abortion' call". Irish Independent. 8 July 2006. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
  9. ^ "Repeal The 8th Amendment – Labour Youth".
  10. ^ "#Repealthe8th leaflet from The Labour Party". Irish Election Literature. 26 September 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  11. ^ "Say NO to Sexism & Homophobia! – Labour Youth".
  12. ^ Says, Keith (2 October 2012). ""Say No To Sexism and Homophobia" Leaflet from Labour Youth". Irish Election Literature. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  13. ^ Party, The Labour (11 August 2010). "Labour Youth publishes policy document |". The Labour Party. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Votes@16! – Labour Youth".
  15. ^ "Young Workers' Guide – Labour Youth".
  16. ^ "Leaflet from Labour Youth "Do u want ….. Free Education … Same Sex Marriage … A Living Wage….."". Irish Election Literature. 8 July 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  17. ^ Says, seachranaidhe1 (29 March 2018). "Poster about Consent from Labour Youth". Irish Election Literature. Retrieved 9 June 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ "Grant Asylum Seekers The Right to Work leaflet from Labour Youth". Irish Election Literature. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  19. ^ Party, The Labour (15 April 2009). "Labour Youth donates over €14,000 to young candidates |". The Labour Party. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  20. ^ "Tackling Zero Hour Contracts". Issuu. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  21. ^ Party, The Labour (4 June 2015). "Ireland leading the way on LGBTQ rights - Labour Youth | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  22. ^ Party, The Labour (4 February 2015). "More companies should follow Eircom's lead - Labour Youth | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  23. ^ "Say no to homophobia, transphobia & sexism". Issuu. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  24. ^ Party, The Labour (30 May 2016). "Young people must support the EU | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  25. ^ Party, The Labour (24 June 2016). "Labour Youth deeply shocked by referendum result | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  26. ^ "Education for the Next Generation". Issuu. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  27. ^ Party, The Labour (13 November 2016). "FORMER USI PRESIDENT ELECTED CHAIR OF LABOUR YOUTH | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  28. ^ Party, The Labour (2 May 2017). "LABOUR YOUTH CONDEMNS INCOME-CONTINGENT LOAN SCHEME PROPOSAL | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  29. ^ Party, The Labour (19 January 2017). "LABOUR YOUTH LAUNCHES 'LIVING 2019' CAMPAIGN | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  30. ^ Brady, Chai (14 December 2017). "'Juvenile' Labour Youth reminded of social media codes". The Irish Catholic. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  31. ^ Party, The Labour (28 March 2018). "Labour Youth commends the two victories of the Take Back Trinity movement | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  32. ^ Party, The Labour (3 July 2018). "Labour Youth calls on Ryanair to address concerns of pilots | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  33. ^ "No divergence between Howlin and party's youth wing, says Labour". The Irish Times.
  34. ^ "Dublin City Council: Chu Sets the Pace with Green Party Making Gains in All Areas". Irish Times.
  35. ^ "Co Kildare Mum Who Has New Baby Said She Went from Couch to Council in 3 Months". Kildare Now.
  36. ^ Crewe, Simon Carswell in. "On the UK canvass: Brexit tensions make for vicious election". The Irish Times. Retrieved 18 June 2020.
  37. ^ Cormac Ó Braonáin [@cormacobraonain] (6 October 2019). "Great to represent @Labour with @chloemanno at the PES Academy in Leuven, Belgium over the weekend. Lots of campaigning strategies and stories shared among our @PES_PSE European Comrades. Looking forward to sharing all their brilliant ideas back home in Ireland 🌹🇪🇺 #PESAcademy https://t.co/TlNJ93qqj4" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ Labour Youth [@labouryouth] (16 July 2019). "Here's @HackneyAbbott speaking at #TJ19 about the @UKLabour party position on #Brexit https://t.co/fgY57wwzwW" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  39. ^ Labour Youth [@labouryouth] (7 December 2019). "Delighted to be canvassing for the titan @ClaireHanna in #GE19 We need strong Remain Candidates in NI, to ensure our peace process is protected 🕊 https://t.co/wOXD5ZhJzE" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 January 2021 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Party, The Labour (17 September 2019). "Labour Youth launches new campaign on decent housing for all | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  41. ^ "Verdict of accidental death at inquest of Labour activist who fell off bike on Luas line". The Irish Times.
  42. ^ "Cyclist who died after collision with Luas named as Labour Youth Chair Cormac Ó Braonáin". TheJournal.ie. 15 December 2019.
  43. ^ Party, The Labour (29 June 2016). "Left Field | Labour News". The Labour Party. Archived from the original on 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  44. ^ Party, The Labour (25 November 2019). "Labour Youth elects new Chairperson and Executive Committee | Labour Youth". The Labour Party. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  45. ^ Pope, Conor; Bowers, Shauna. "Cyclist who died in Luas collision was chair of Labour Youth". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
  46. ^ "LGBT+ community pays tribute to Labour Youth leader who died after collision with Luas". GCN. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 9 June 2020.
  47. ^ "Labour Youth Elect New Chairperson".
  48. ^ a b "Labour Youth Lucan/Palmerstown". facebook.com. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  49. ^ "Agenda for Monthly Council Meeting on Monday 8th June, 2020, 6.15 pm". 8 June 2020.
  50. ^ "Local elections battleground: From dog poo to housing crisis". The Irish Times.
  51. ^ Labour Youth Post-COVID Society
  52. ^ "Branches". labouryouth.ie.
  53. ^ O'Mahony, Eleanor (11 November 2017). "Trinity Student Elected National Chair of Labour Youth". The University Times. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  54. ^ "National Executive Committee. – Labour Youth". Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  55. ^ McLaughlin, Rachel (15 November 2019). "Conal O'Boyle (17) hits out at government's 'embarrassing' lack of climate action". Donegal Daily. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  56. ^ "James Joy". The Labour Party. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
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