News

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but fails dismally at climate action Confirmation that our climate action targets will not be met should not come as a surprise, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “According to the EPA, we have no hope of meeting our 2030 climate action targets. Instead of a reduction […]

Fingal Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville has called for the urgent publication of the Government’s long-delayed coastal strategy report. Cllr Mulville said: “Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has questioned Minister Darragh O’Brien about the long-delayed report from the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group. “The Minister announced in September 2020 that his Department […]

Bizarrely, the same law that protects hares also allows for their capture for coursing Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill today which, if supported, could result in an effective ban on hare coursing in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “Given the scale of the […]

One-off measures are simply not enough to prevent households from falling into food or energy poverty The findings of a new survey from Barnardos are a damning indictment of the Government’s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

Households need immediate assistance to deal with crippling arrears The Government must use the summer months to put targeted supports in place for households caught in an endless cycle of energy poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, made her comments after hearing submissions to the […]

Dr Muldoon deserves support, not platitudes, from the Government  The Government must act immediately to address the range of issues identified in the Ombudsman for Children’s 2022 report, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Today’s report, based on over 1,800 complaints received last year, […]

Survey highlights long waiting lists and raises questions about standard of mental health services for children and adolescents Today’s report from the Ombudsman for Children paints a worrying picture of mental health services for children and teenagers in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, […]

Report of the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy to be debated in the Dáil today  The Government must expedite legislation to end the legal limbo faced by couples and individuals who enter into international surrogacy, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who chaired the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy, will introduce the […]

Questions must be asked about the extent of the price gouging in Ireland The Taoiseach must clarify if he met with energy companies and asked them to reduce prices for consumers, according to Social Democrats Energy Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “In February, I urged the Taoiseach to deliver on his promise to meet with energy companies […]

Low pay is the driving factor behind high staff turnover levels Further State investment in childcare will be required to tackle the growing recruitment crisis in the Early Years sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: “The results of SIPTU’s Early Years (Childcare) Survey […]