Labour Youth

Labour Youth
Óige an Lucht Oibre
Chairperson Kevin Donoghue
Founded 1979 (1979)
Ideology Social Democracy
Pro-Europeanism
Social Liberalism
Mother party Republic of Ireland Labour Party
International affiliation International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY)
European affiliation Young European Socialists (YES)
Newspaper The Left Tribune
Website www.labouryouth.ie

Labour Youth is the youth wing of the Labour Party of Ireland. Anyone between the ages of 16 and 30[1] is eligible to join Labour Youth.

History

Labour Youth succeeded the Young Labour League as a full section of the 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.

In the 2007 General Election, Labour Youth opposed a pre-election pact with the centre-right party Fine Gael. 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.[2] Kevin Donoghue, a former President of the Union of Students in Ireland, is their current National Chairperson.

Structure

As a prominently student organisation Labour Youth has long had a presence in many Universities and Institutes of Technology across Ireland. Originally confided to the larger and more prestigious universities such as Trinity, UCD and UCC, in more recent years branches have been set-up nationwide and societies in more diverse institutions of higher education. [3]

Labour Youth is currently represented in:

Constituency level:

Executive

The National Youth Executive (NYE) is responsible for the day-to-day running of Labour Youth. Officers are elected to the NYE at Youth Conference, held in November each year. The Labour Party Youth & Development Officer, currently Caroline Winston, is an ex-officio, non-voting member of the NYE.

Current Executive

Executive Position Officer
National Chairperson Kevin Donoghue
Vice Chairperson Chloe Manahan
Women’s & Trans* Officer Chloe Manahan
Secretary-Treasurer Eimear Martin
Campaigns Officer Dion Tallant
Policy & Education Officer James Joy
Communications Officer Robert O'Donnell
International Officer Declan Meenagh

Former National Chairs

  • Grace Williams - 2015-2016
  • Jack Eustace – 2014–2015
  • Ciarán Garrett – 2013–2014
  • Aideen Carberry – 2012–2013
  • Conor Ryan – 2011–2012
  • Colm Lawless – 2010–2011
  • Rory Geraghty – 2009–2010
  • Gary Honer – 2008–2009
  • Enda Duffy – 2007–2008
  • Graham Ó Maonaigh – 2005–2006
  • Donal Lyons – 2004–2005
  • Rebecca Moynihan – 2002–2004
  • Áine Morris – 2001–2002
  • Mark Garrett – 1997–1999
  • David Leech – 1996–1997
  • Fearghal O’Boyle – 1994–1996
  • Desmond Cullen – 1993–1994
  • Edward Dawson – 1991–1993
  • Paddy Glackin – 1989–1991
  • Vincent Byrne – 1988–1989
  • Michael Barry – 1985–1988
  • Ray McLoughlin – 1983–1985
  • Michael Martin – 1980–1983
  • John Kelleher – 1979–1980

References

  1. ↑ "Labour Youth" (PDF). labour.ie.
  2. ↑ "Labour Youth call on party to ditch coalition talks - Independent.ie".
  3. ↑ "Branches". www.labouryouth.ie.

Publications

Labour Youth publishes The Left Tribune on a regular basis.

Official Links

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