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Thursday 15 November 2018

Labour picks ex-Siptu boss O'Connor to run for Dáil

Mr O’Connor – who was Siptu’s general president for more than 14 years – will seek to reclaim a seat in Wicklow that the party lost in their 2016 election disaster.
Mr O’Connor – who was Siptu’s general president for more than 14 years – will seek to reclaim a seat in Wicklow that the party lost in their 2016 election disaster.
Cormac McQuinn

Cormac McQuinn

Former union boss Jack O'Connor has been selected by the Labour Party to contest the next general election.

Mr O'Connor - who was Siptu's general president for more than 14 years - will seek to reclaim a seat in Wicklow that the party lost in their 2016 election disaster.

Speaking after his selection, Mr O'Connor called for the benefits of the improving economy to be spent on housing, health and education rather than "buying people's votes with their own money".

He branded tax cuts as "cynical electoral con-artistry" and called for a 'Yes' vote in the upcoming referendum.

Mr O'Connor stepped down as Siptu's leader last December.

Once on a salary of more than €100,000, he played a high-profile role in industrial disputes.

In 2015, Mr O'Connor famously walked off a live broadcast of TV3's 'Tonight with Vincent Browne Show' after a row with the host.

Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin last year appointed Mr O'Connor as Labour chairman as part of efforts to renew links with the trade union movement.

Irish Independent

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