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The government’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to invest in renewable energy will make it increasingly difficult for Ireland to reach its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “In its Annual Cross Sectoral Review for […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has strongly criticised the government’s failure to engage with disability groups as part of a review of its response to Storm Éowyn. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “At today’s Climate Committee meeting I was really taken aback to learn that the Department of Housing did not […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused Minister Darragh O’Brien of playing a reckless game of chicken with the EU by downplaying the risk of billions in fines if Ireland fails to hit its climate action targets. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “Earlier this year, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) […]

Vague proposals for an emergency break do not inspire any confidence The Irish government must live up to commitments to oppose the Mercosur trade deal if robust protections for the environment and agricultural sector are not in place, according to Social Democrats Climate and Agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen […]

It is now all but inevitable that Ireland will face billions in EU fines for not meeting its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The latest assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must not be ignored. It […]

The government’s vague stance on a commercial liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility is no longer acceptable or viable, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “It’s a damning indictment of the government that An Coimisún Pleanála has had to write to the Minister for the Environment asking […]

The chief executives of Ireland’s local authorities must be hauled into a meeting by the Minister for the Environment and read the riot act for failing to clamp down on illegal commercial peat extractors, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and environment, said: “A report […]

The government must urgently expand eligibility for the School Transport Scheme to help Ireland achieve its climate action targets, reduce congestion on our roads, and tackle education disadvantage, according to Social Democrats TD Jen Cummins. Deputy Cummins, who is the party’s spokesperson on education, said: “With just 18 per cent of primary and post-primary pupils […]

Dublin City Council’s failure to ensure adequate living conditions in social housing is a detriment to the health of its residents, according to Social Democrats TDs Jen Cummins and Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Cummins, who represents Dublin South-Central, said: “Emmet Buildings is just one of dozens of examples in my constituency where the quality of social […]

Today’s confirmation from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that Ireland is not prepared for the potentially catastrophic impact of climate change is extremely concerning, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “The findings of the first-ever National Climate Change Risk Assessment confirm our worst fears […]