Ireland’s fastest growing youth movement, Labour Youth has just elected a new chairperson and executive committee following a successful three day conference in County Wexford.

Speaking after being elected at the Labour Youth conference, their new chairperson Patrick Ahern commented: “I’m delighted to have been elected Chairperson of Labour Youth.

"I’d like to thank the membership for putting their faith in me to continue the work of outgoing chairperson Chloe Manahan."

Thank you so much to our outgoing National Youth Executive. Under the stewardship of the unstoppable @chloemanno, they led @labouryouth to such a successful year. #LY18 pic.twitter.com/uoUzV1LDaz

— Labour Youth (@labouryouth) December 1, 2018

Patrick Ahern added: “The last 12 months have been extremely busy for Labour Youth. The total membership has continued to rise and Labour Youth has been an active member of the Housing and Homelessness Coalition, campaigning on the 8th amendment and access to free third level education.

“Over the year ahead we’ll be continuing to campaign on the issues that are at the heart of Labour Youth as an organisation such as a living wage for all, improved health and mental health services, swift action to resolve the housing crisis and to tackle climate change, and the immediate implementation of the result of the referendum on the 8th amendment to the constitution which the public voted to repeal over six months ago."

And welcome to our incoming NYE - a hard act to follow but @Pahern93 is more than up to the challenge #LY18 pic.twitter.com/MsayhjZQGQ

— Labour Youth (@labouryouth) December 1, 2018

Speaking about the next general election, Patrick Ahern said: “As Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil continue to squabble over the timing over the next general election, Labour Youth has continued to ensure that there are young, enthusiastic candidates running in the only election that is set in stone, the Local Elections which are due to take place in 2019.

"We’ve got some great young candidates running in the local elections next year right across the country from Kenmare to Cavan.

"And I can’t wait to get out and help get them elected as I have no doubt that they all have the potential to make an immediate positive impact in their communities.”

Great to see @labouryouth carrying on our tradition of a women and trans lunch at #LY18. Well done to our outgoing exec member @HazelGavigan for organising! pic.twitter.com/EvtWiNZHil

— Labour Women (@labourwomen) December 1, 2018