News

The Coalition must give its TDs a free vote on this evening’s bill which would ban hare coursing, according to Social Democrats agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I’m calling on the Government to give a free vote to their TDs when it comes to voting on the Hare Coursing Bill, which will be […]

Today’s warning from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) that grocery prices are set to rise further in the second half of this year highlights the need to give the Agri-Food Regulator additional powers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “With households already […]

A Government Bill to regulate puppy farms will be worthless unless it includes a cap on the number of breeding females that can be kept on site at any one time, as well as a ban on surgical artificial insemination, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, […]

In light of concerns expressed by the IFA in relation to significant gaps between farmgate and retail prices and warnings of egg shortages, Government needs to fast-track long promised powers for the AgriFood Regulator, according to Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “More than eighteen months have passed since the AgriFood Regulator […]

More and more families are being priced out of essential goods as grocery costs continue to rise, according to Social Democrats food spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Everyday items continue to rise in price in supermarkets – the Consumer Price Index for December 2025 shows that butter, milk and bread, among other essentials, cost […]

The government decision to vote against the Mercosur trade deal is too little too late, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “The government spent the entire year failing to build alliances with like‑minded EU countries in opposition to Mercour, which it explicitly committed to in the Programme for Government. “The […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the government’s intention to finally move on her repeated calls to grant the Agri-Food Regulator increased powers to improve transparency in food supply chains. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, said: “With suspected price gouging by supermarkets continuing to squeeze household budgets, it’s more important than […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the positive cross-party response to her Dog Welfare (Amendment) Bill 2025 as a significant step in the right direction for animal rights in Ireland. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s agriculture spokesperson, said: “My Bill, which was debated at second stage in the Dáil today, is aimed at […]

Animal welfare charities and rescue centres are being left to pick up the pieces in the absence of proper dog breeding regulations, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Ireland holds the dubious distinction of being the puppy farm capital of Europe, with 30,000 dogs […]

The three-year extension of the nitrates derogation must be used to draw up plans for its total phase out after it expires, according to Social Democrats agriculture and environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am hugely concerned by the decision to extend the nitrates derogation – because, if past performance is anything to […]