News

The new government must urgently act to halt the worrying use of nicotine pouches by secondary school students, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “It has been reported today that an increasing number of schools have been sending notices to parents to highlight the ongoing use of these products in classrooms. This follows calls […]

The incoming government has a mountain to climb if it is to achieve the original objective of retrofitting half a million homes to B2 Building Energy Rating (BER) standard by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action, said: “While the Sustainable Energy Authority of […]

The next government must not lose focus on Ireland’s climate action responsibilities, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action, said: “According to the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, 2024 was the first full year in which global temperatures exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial times. In fact, […]

Consideration should be given to setting up a State-run death notice website following the decision by RIP.ie to charge €100 for funeral listings, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. “RIP.ie has proven to be a highly effective way of notifying people of deaths that occur in local communities around the country, with millions using […]

The next government must do more to tackle the State’s stagnant recycling rates, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate and biodiversity spokesperson, said: “According to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ireland is almost certain to miss mandatory EU recycling targets that will apply from […]

Irish farmers should not be forced to compete with farmers in other countries who are subject to much lower health and environmental standards The outgoing government parties are sleepwalking the country into ratification of the Mercosur deal – which would be disastrous for both agriculture and the environment, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer […]

The outgoing government has serious questions to answer following the resignation of the interim chief executive of CHI, which could result in further delays to the opening of the National Children’s Hospital, according to Jennifer Whitmore of the Social Democrats. Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I am deeply concerned at reports […]

The Social Democrats today published a range of proposals to support families, including improved paid leave arrangements for parents; a right to flexible work options; and building a public model of early childhood care and education. The policy will be launched by children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore and Cllr Jen Cummins, the party’s general election candidate […]

The Social Democrats have confirmed that implementation of Sláintecare within the next five years will be a red line issue for the party in any forthcoming programme for government negotiations. The party set out their position at the launch of their Health and Social Care policy today, which was attended by health spokesperson Róisín Shortall, […]

Fine Gael is scraping the bottom of the barrel with this proposal Taoiseach Simon Harris must clarify if Fine Gael is proposing the introduction of detention centres for international protection applicants in the party’s general election manifesto, according to Social Democrats integration spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Fine Gael’s manifesto states that it is committed to implementing […]