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The next government must do more to tackle the State’s stagnant recycling rates, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate and biodiversity spokesperson, said: “According to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland is almost certain to miss mandatory EU recycling targets that will apply from […]

Irish farmers should not be forced to compete with farmers in other countries who are subject to much lower health and environmental standards The outgoing government parties are sleepwalking the country into ratification of the Mercosur deal – which would be disastrous for both agriculture and the environment, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer […]

The outgoing government has serious questions to answer following the resignation of the interim chief executive of CHI, which could result in further delays to the opening of the National Children’s Hospital, according to Jennifer Whitmore of the Social Democrats. Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I am deeply concerned at reports […]

The Social Democrats today published a range of proposals to support families, including improved paid leave arrangements for parents; a right to flexible work options; and building a public model of early childhood care and education. The policy will be launched by children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Jen Cummins, the party’s general election candidate […]

The Social Democrats have confirmed that implementation of Sláintecare within the next five years will be a red line issue for the party in any forthcoming programme for government negotiations. The party set out their position at the launch of their Health and Social Care policy today, which was attended by health spokesperson Róisín Shortall, […]

Fine Gael is scraping the bottom of the barrel with this proposal Taoiseach Simon Harris must clarify if Fine Gael is proposing the introduction of detention centres for international protection applicants in the party’s general election manifesto, according to Social Democrats integration spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Fine Gael’s manifesto states that it is committed to implementing […]

The Social Democrats today launched their policy on Climate Action and Nature Protection. The policy was launched by Jennifer Whitmore, spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, and Cllr Joan Hopkins, the party’s candidate in Dublin Fingal East. The document outlines how, in government, the Social Democrats will create a revised Climate Action Plan that will allow […]

The Green Party was more interested in greenwashing the report than accepting its findings Green Party leader Roderick O’Gorman must explain why a Green Party spin doctor put an independent state agency under pressure to edit a report on carbon emissions, according Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “According to a report in today’s Irish […]

An effective promise to increase energy costs is a bizarre election promise Fine Gael’s VAT proposals for hospitality would result in increased energy costs for everyone in the country, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “If Fine Gael abolishes the 9% VAT rate, and replaces it with a permanent 11% rate, the energy […]

Electric Ireland’s decision to cut the rate it pays to households for excess electricity generated from solar panels has been described as a retrograde step by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “It is extremely disappointing to see Electric Ireland reduce its microgeneration export tariff rate, from […]