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Today’s hike in rail fares for thousands of passengers in the new Dublin Commuter Zone has been described as a retrograde step by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “While I am in favour of the National Transport Authority’s move towards a simpler pricing structure, the new […]

The government’s latest Climate Action Plan is not ambitious enough to put Ireland on a corrective course to meet our legally binding emissions reduction targets over the next five years, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “The Climate Action Plan for 2025, which has […]

We’re approaching the last chance saloon of reaching our climate targets unless substantive actions are put forward in the 2025 Climate Action Plan, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The previous publication of the Climate Action Plan only met 29% of the required 51% reduction in overall […]

The government must invest now if Ireland is to achieve its climate action targets and avoid crippling EU fines of anything between €8 billion and €26 billion, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The report from the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council and the Climate Change […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for a special Oireachtas committee to be set up to examine the Government’s inadequate response to Storm Éowyn. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The Government has insisted it will learn from mistakes made in the wake of last month’s devastating storm – but there […]

The cost of repairs to the electricity network in the aftermath of Storm Éowyn should not be passed on to customers under any circumstances, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “For the thousands of customers still waiting to have their power restored – almost […]

Ireland can expect to experience more extreme weather events like Storm Éowyn if we fail to achieve our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “As we once again count the cost of another major storm, the harsh reality is that Ireland […]

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, […]

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 […]