News

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has urged the Government to include the regulation of nicotine pouches in proposed legislation to ban disposable vapes. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Under proposals being brought to Cabinet today, the sale of disposable vapes will be banned, with further measures planned to restrict flavours […]

This government must now explain to the people why it has spent eight years fighting this case The government defended corporate interests instead of the public interest when it fought the €13 billion tax judgment, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “I welcome today’s judgment of the European Court of Justice, which has […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has written to Taoiseach Simon Harris asking him to support a proposal that would see the State purchase land in Wicklow to allow for the expansion of the ancient woodland in the Glen of the Downs. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s biodiversity spokesperson and a TD for Wicklow, said: […]

It is an indictment of this government that the number of children experiencing material deprivation has increased by nearly 15 percent at a time when budget coffers are overflowing, according to Social Democrats Finance Spokesperson Róisín Shortall. “This government pay lip service to addressing child poverty – but that is all. Former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has taken to the seas today to join a groundbreaking research expedition aimed at establishing if great white sharks frequent Irish waters. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, has a background in ecology, marine science and environmental law. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am excited to […]

Religious orders must be compelled to account for the litany of horrific sexual abuse carried out for decades in church-run schools, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. “The scale of the abuse outlined in senior counsel Mary O’Toole’s scoping inquiry report is staggering. It is another stark reminder of the devastating consequences of the […]

Increased electricity demand from data centres means we are running to stand still in trying to meet our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “Analysis published today by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) shows that all the […]

A failure to reduce child poverty numbers will be one of this Government’s most shameful legacies, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “Despite record budget surpluses, there are more than 260,000 children living in poverty in Ireland – an increase of 30,000 in the […]

The latest homelessness figures have shown the devastating consequences of this Government’s housing failures, according to Social Democrats TD Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan, who is the party’s spokesperson on housing, said: “There are now 14,429 people living in homeless emergency accommodation – the highest ever recorded in the history of the State. “Shockingly, 4,401 of […]

New figures again highlight the enormous mountain that individuals and families have to climb if they want to buy a home, according to Social Democrats Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. “Confirmation today that fewer than 60 percent of new homes are available to buy is further evidence of dysfunction in our housing system. “The situation is […]