Labour members have been threatened by far right, says Bacik

Labour leader Ivana Bacik speaking to media at her party's think-in event in Maynooth. Picture: PA

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said she and other party members have received threats and intimidation from the far right.

Speaking to reporters at the Labour parliamentary party think-in in Maynooth, Ms Bacik said there are “worrying signs of far-right organising” in Ireland, and that her party is proud to “face down voices of hate and bigotry”.

She added: “The key thing is to ensure that far-right groups don't get a foothold in our communities and the best way to fight them — and I've been doing it on the ground in my own area — is to speak with people to answer people's concerns, to provide information, to bring people together.”

She was responding to a question on whether she believes fears over racism and xenophobia will be a factor in upcoming local and European elections.

“We're trying to fight any sort of rise of racism and bigotry at any local and national level in any way we can,” she said.

"But again, it is an issue at European level, and speaking with colleagues who are leaders of PES (Party of European Socialists) parties across Europe, they're really worried about the gains the far-right have been making in other countries.

“We've seen it everywhere. We see it in Italy, we've seen it in Germany, and most recently we're seeing it in Spain, we're seeing it in Finland.

“The real worry is that there will be far-right representation, not only in the European Parliament at greater levels, but even among commissioners.

“That could really change the way in which European politics works, and we think it's vitally important that we counter that through having a strong left social democratic and socialist voice at the European table for Ireland.”

On the upcoming budget, Ms Bacik said that she wants to see the Government move on increasing the tax take on assets rather than just income.

“We’re working on our tax proposals for this year that would see the tax take increased from assets and wealth and indeed an increased bank levy, which we proposed last year.

“We want to see the Government take that up,” Ms Bacik said, responding to expectations that the coalition will move to slash the universal social charge (USC) in October.

“We think that's a much more meaningful way of broadening the tax base.” 

On childcare, Ms Bacik said that Labour wants the cost of childcare to be capped at €200 per month, saying that it would be in line with European standards and only cost the state €275m a year.

“We think it’s very achievable,” Ms Bacik said, adding that progress is being made by the current Government but not quickly enough.

The Dublin Bay South TD is also calling for a €1bn investment in social and affordable housing in the upcoming budget, calling it “the single biggest and most-important investment that should be made” from record budget surpluses.

“Undoubtedly, the Government does need to invest in the sort of public infrastructure that we so badly need, because the lack of investment is slowing [things down],” Ms Bacik said.