News

People in rural areas are more reliant on their cars and make longer journeys A new grant scheme to help motorists in rural Ireland buy electric vehicles should be rolled out, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “There is currently a grant of up to €5,000 available for those who purchase an electric […]

This is an obscene amount of profit for the ESB when so many of its customers are living in penury. The government must ring-fence windfall profits in ESB to support the hundreds and thousands of people now living in energy poverty, according to Social Democrats Energy Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I attended a […]

Long-awaited report is a damning indictment of organisation’s failure to protect children  The findings of a report into child sexual abuse within St John Ambulance have been described as devastating by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “Dr Geoffey Shannon’s report has been a long time […]

Arrival of FV Margiris off south-west coast met with dismay by environmentalists and fishing communities Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for on-board monitoring of fishing activity off the south-west coast of Ireland by the world’s second largest super-trawler. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The FV Margiris, […]

Government has failed to deliver on commitment in Energy Poverty Action Plan Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill tomorrow (Tuesday, February 21) proposing new legislation to protect financially vulnerable customers from energy disconnections. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Energy, said: “The Government’s new Energy Poverty Action Plan, published last […]

Whitmore hosts special briefing on how current drugs reimbursement scheme is failing women instead of helping them Women suffering from hyperemesis during pregnancy must not be abandoned by our health service, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore hosted a special briefing in Leinster House this week to highlight how the current reimbursement […]

Consumers and businesses continue to struggle while energy companies profiteer from war A targeted energy price cap must be introduced to reduce spiralling energy costs and provide security to businesses and households, according to Social Democrats Energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was commenting as the Social Democrats prepare to bring a Private Members’ Motion […]

Highly vulnerable women are attending emergency departments to beg for Cariban prescriptions from consultants Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to make Cariban – a medication used for treating hyperemesis during pregnancy – more accessible. “Cariban is used to help reduce symptoms of hyperemesis in pregnancy, which include severe vomiting, fatigue […]

Government can only offer vague timelines on when low-cost loan scheme for households will be available  Ongoing delays in the rollout of a low interest loan scheme for retrofitting will make Ireland’s carbon reduction targets even more difficult to achieve, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

Partnership with UK investment firm highlights serious flaws in Government’s approach to forestry policy and climate action The Government must immediately intervene to scrap the controversial deal between Coillte and a UK-based investment firm, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The partnership […]