News

The Government must seek an urgent explanation from the operators of the Re-turn scheme as to why thousands of Reverse Vending Machines were not disability-proofed before being brought into use, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Significant accessibility issues with these machines […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised Minister Eamon Ryan’s attempts to distance himself from the Irish Government’s objection to the ‘Swiss Grannies’ climate case taken in the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “The Minister is trying to blame a badly worded […]

A new report highlighting a significant increase in heat-related deaths in Europe over the past two decades lays bare the dire consequences of countries failing to meet their climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “As we mark Earth Day […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the outcome of a high-profile climate case taken against Switzerland in the European Court of Human Rights – a legal action that had been opposed by the Irish Government. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “In a landmark decision, the ECHR has […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns met with a group of concerned north Dublin residents this weekend to see first-hand the devastation caused by ongoing coastal erosion in their area. The meeting took place on Portrane Beach, where coastal erosion has caused extensive damage to the dunes system and is posing a serious threat to several […]

The Government’s solar panel programme for schools is not nearly ambitious enough and falls well short of the rooftop revolution promised by the Minister for Energy, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, was responding to reports that a school in Co. Clare has become the […]

The fourth National Biodiversity Plan, which was published today, has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “A biodiversity crisis was declared in 2019, yet the actionable targets in this latest plan are few and far between. “It […]

The agreement reached at COP28 is wholly inadequate and leaves the world on a collision course with catastrophic climate breakdown, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “While the consensus reached at the summit in Dubai has been described as historic by Environment […]

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has accepted an offer from Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore to pair for tomorrow’s no confidence Dáil vote, meaning he will now not have to return home from COP28 in Dubai. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “I am deeply concerned at some of the […]

Cutting the grant for residential solar panels from January will completely undermine the Government’s Climate Action Plan, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “This week, the Taoiseach is attending COP28 in Dubai where he has talked about Ireland’s need to reduce greenhouse […]