News

This Government is good at making climate action plans but is poor when it comes to delivery The Government’s failure to address significant implementation gaps in its Climate Action Plan will make it next to impossible for Ireland to achieve its carbon reduction targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was responding […]

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but this is not matched with climate action Social Democrats Spokesperson for Climate, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has described the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency’s report as disappointing, but not surprising. Deputy Whitmore was commenting today after the EPA published its 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. “Emissions have come […]

We deserve to have a functioning fire service – one that respects retained firefighters and the valuable work they do The Government must outline what steps it will take to avert strike action by retained firefighters if Labour Court proposals to settle the dispute are rejected by SIPTU members, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

The outcome of today’s European Parliament vote is welcome – but the devil will be in the detail of the law’s final text  Today’s passing of the Nature Restoration Law by the European Parliament will be meaningless if the final text of the legislation is watered down any further, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

Parents are sick and tired of forking out huge sums of money on schoolbooks that will have to be recycled Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to address the high cost of schoolbooks for parents of secondary school students. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on children, said: “I know […]

From an animal welfare and biodiversity perspective, I am strongly opposed to hare coursing Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Minister for Heritage not to issue any licences for the upcoming coursing season after raising concerns about the welfare of pregnant hares. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action […]

State has failed to provide legal protection for 217 out of 423 sites identified as requiring formal designation as Special Areas of Conservation  The Government’s green credentials lie in tatters after Ireland was found guilty by the European Court of Justice of multiple breaches of laws to protect nature, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

Government parties must present a united front before law is discussed at plenary session of European Parliament next month The Government must be unequivocal in its support for Nature Restoration Law following today’s rejection of the proposed legislation by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is […]

A 2020 Children’s Ombudsman report found more than 120 children housed in hostels with no care staff after 5pm A report detailing the sexual exploitation of young girls in State care is shocking but not surprising, according to Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was speaking following the release of a new study, […]

The Taoiseach should clarify if he spoke with Roderic O’Gorman before he made his comments or if his latest budget kite-flying is another Fine Gael solo run The Taoiseach must clarify if the government is resiling from its commitment to cut childcare fees by 50% over two years, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer […]