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This government has serious questions to answer about their mismanagement of the grid Ireland’s power supply crisis is much worse than previously thought meaning the risk of blackouts and brownouts this winter has increased, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was commenting after the publication of Eirgrid’s Generation Capacity Statement today. […]

Grandiose announcements and spin from the Government simply won’t cut it Extra funding in the budget for retrofitting and energy schemes will be meaningless if the Government continues to miss its own completion targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “There is […]

Social Democrats propose ambitious solar panel programme for 100,000 homes The Government needs to urgently ramp-up investment in solar energy in next week’s budget, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity. Speaking after the launch of the Social Democrats’ alternative budget, Deputy Whitmore said: “Budget 2023 must have […]

Immoral to allow energy companies profit off the backs of consumers Exorbitant profits being generated by the Corrib gas field further underscore the urgent need for a windfall tax on energy companies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “It has emerged that […]

The introduction of minimum rates of pay for Early Years workers is a welcome first step in improving employment conditions within the childcare sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, said: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Children that the first-ever Employment Regulation […]

Consumers and businesses need a credible plan to keep the lights on this winter Climate Minister Eamon Ryan’s strategy to prevent blackouts this winter amounts to nothing more than a wing and a prayer, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “At a time when the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRU) has warned that […]

This level of denial and myopia at cabinet is deeply concerning Ministers who claim to be “livid” or “astounded” at Ireland’s worsening electricity security crisis have been asleep at the wheel, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The Business Post has reported that ministers are “livid” and “astounded” that Ireland is facing into […]

The blame falls squarely at the feet of a government that rolled out the red carpet for data centres Ordinary consumers should not bear the financial cost of the government’s failure to ensure the country has a sufficient supply of electricity, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The government has been trying to […]

There is no excuse for any further delay The government must commit to introducing a windfall tax on energy companies, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, has called on governments around the world to tax the super-profits of energy companies – and use that revenue […]

The Government is clearly not prepared to make the tough decisions required to deal with climate change The agreement of a 25% reduction in carbon emissions for the agricultural sector represents a shocking failure by Government to listen to the science, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The decision to put in place […]