News

Government can only offer vague timelines on when low-cost loan scheme for households will be available  Ongoing delays in the rollout of a low interest loan scheme for retrofitting will make Ireland’s carbon reduction targets even more difficult to achieve, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on […]

Partnership with UK investment firm highlights serious flaws in Government’s approach to forestry policy and climate action The Government must immediately intervene to scrap the controversial deal between Coillte and a UK-based investment firm, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The partnership […]

The government’s record is a litany of failure The government’s revised climate action plan is not worth the paper it’s written on unless the targets are actually met, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Climate change is an existential crisis, but all this government has offered to date as a response is aspiration […]

Latest increase will further erode benefits of owning an electric car  Massive price increases due to come into effect tomorrow for electric vehicle charging points on the public network are a further setback for Ireland’s climate ambitions, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: […]

Annual report of Special Rapporteur on Child Protection says more children experienced homelessness and poverty in 2022 Tomorrow’s change of Taoiseach will make zero difference to the lives of children experiencing record levels of poverty, deprivation and homelessness, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, said: […]

The Government is good at producing documents and headlines on climate action but falls down badly on delivery The updated Climate Action Plan, due to be published next week, must reflect the new reality that Ireland’s emissions have increased and key carbon reduction targets continue to be missed by the Government, according to Social Democrats […]

Parents and families should not have to wait any longer for the protections and security of legal certainty Confirmation that that Government intends to legislate for international surrogacy is hugely welcome, according to Social Democrats Children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who chaired the Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy, said: “I am pleased that the […]

Minister needs to redouble efforts to achieve carbon reduction targets The agreement reached on a loss and damage fund for poorer countries at COP27 should not distract the Government from its climate change responsibilities, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Minister Eamon […]

The Department of Children cannot adopt a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to the refugee crisis Children with additional needs living in emergency accommodation should not be moved at short notice, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore. “Today, some 200 Ukrainian refugees are being moved from the Clondalkin hotel they have lived in […]

VAT could be removed in an amendment to the Finance Bill, which is currently before the Dáil The government should ‘green’ our VAT rates and remove VAT from solar panels and their installation, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Earlier this year, the EU clarified that a zero VAT rating can apply to […]