News

Government clampdown on energy companies’ profits is welcome but overdue Funds generated through a windfall tax on energy companies must be targeted at vulnerable households most at risk from fuel poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The Social Democrats have always […]

Devil will be in the detail of how loss and damage fund will work in practice  Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the last-minute breakthrough at COP27 in securing agreement on a loss and damage fund for poorer countries, but expressed disappointment at the UN climate summit’s failure to step-up emission reduction pledges. Deputy […]

Failure to ease plight of 12-year-old Wicklow girl is inhumane Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has again called on the Minister for Health to immediately intervene in the case of a child in desperate need of scoliosis surgery. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, has now raised the plight of 12-year-old Miley […]

Financial supports should only be seen as a short-term solution to energy crisis Significant investment in solar power would help Ireland meet its climate action targets and improve our medium to long-term energy security, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “There are […]

I hope this important decision will prompt some reflection on the government benches The Supreme Court decision that ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)) between the EU and Canada is unconstitutional is an indictment of the government’s attempt to ram the deal through the Dáil, according to Social Democrats Environment Spokesperson Jennifer […]

UN climate conference must deliver measurable results on global warming  The Government must insist that COP27 is more than just a talking shop and use Ireland’s influence to achieve climate justice for developing countries, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Given the […]

Unacceptable that low interest loan guarantee scheme for households now pushed out to 2023 The Government needs to immediately clarify how targets set for the National Retrofitting Scheme will be achieved, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, also expressed concern that a low […]

Scarring effects of living in persistent poverty as a child can be lifelong The Government must immediately outline how it intends to end the scandal of child poverty in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, made her comments to mark the […]

There appears to be chaos in Minister O’Gorman’s Department The Children’s Minister must explain why 135 Ukrainian refugees were put through the anxiety and stress of being told their lives were being uprooted – only for the decision to be reversed at the last moment, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “A group […]

Funds should be targeted at those most vulnerable to energy inflation  Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for holiday homes to be excluded from the Government’s universal electricity credits. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s Energy spokesperson, also criticised the lack of targeting in the Electricity Costs (Domestic Electricity Accounts) Emergency Measures and Miscellaneous […]