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The Government must put a pause on data centres until a strategic analysis of their impact on energy demand is carried out, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “A briefing document provided to new Enterprise Minister Peter Burke reveals that the State’s renewable energy […]

Parents and pupils must be reassured that they will not face extra costs due to a Department of Education cut to the annual grant for primary schools, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Just one year into a free schoolbooks scheme, which was announced […]

Fencing off the city to prevent homeless asylum seekers from setting up tents is not a sustainable solution to the immigration accommodation crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on integration, said: “Just hours after removing more than 100 tents from along the banks of the Grand […]

The Government’s ham-fisted handling of the immigration accommodation crisis is making a bad situation in Dublin even worse, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on integration, said: “Just days after the Taoiseach pledged to end the sad spectacle of tents pitched on the streets of our capital, […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has expressed grave concern at reports today of oil covered birds turning up on beaches along Ireland’s east coast. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on biodiversity, said: “I am shocked to learn of this incident, which is being closely monitored by Birdwatch Ireland and the Oiled Wildlife Response […]

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 […]

Pushing targets for delivery out to 2028, while we are in the midst of a crisis, points to a government that is floundering The only surprise in the government’s new accommodation strategy for international protection applicants is that this flimsy document took so long to produce, according to Social Democrats Jennifer Whitmore. “Integration Minister Roderick […]