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It is scandalous that more than half a billion euro raised for climate action measures through a fuel tax has been left unspent when it could have been used for the rollout of a nationwide solar panel installation programme, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, […]

The considerable potential of solar panels to reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels – and bring down energy bills for households and businesses – continues to be a blind spot for this Government, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Simon Harris revealed over the […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) of being asleep at the wheel for failing to complete an investigation into suspected price gouging by energy companies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Soaring energy prices are feeding into the wider cost-of-living crisis and fuelling […]

The Government’s inability to provide a clear timeline for the delivery of the 2026 Climate Action Plan is putting Ireland on a road to financial and environmental ruin, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The Climate Action Plan is crucial in setting out all the […]

The protests witnessed in Galway and elsewhere over the past week could have been avoided if the Government had acted sooner to quell public anger over soaring energy prices and cost-of-living pressures, according to Social Democrats by-election candidate Míde Nic Fhionnlaoich. Míde said: “These protests were a manifestation of how desperate many people feel as […]

The Government must immediately clarify if the postponement of carbon tax increases will reduce the budget for retrofitting and other climate action measures, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy and climate spokesperson, said: “We are in the middle of an unprecedented price shock when it comes the […]

Ireland is paying a high price because of successive governments’ failures on climate action and adaptation, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “The latest report from the Climate Change Advisory Council makes for stark reading. It confirms that 2025 was Ireland’s second warmest year […]

This government’s approach to climate has gone to the dogs, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore TD. Deputy Whitmore said: “In 2023 and 2024, the last coalition published those year’s respective Climate Action Plans the December before – it’s now February and there’s no sign of this year’s plan. “Last year’s plan, the […]

The devastation caused by Storm Chandra across the country is shocking but not surprising given a lack of flood preparedness from government, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Storm Chandra has caused devastation across the country, with flooding in Wexford, Wicklow and parts of Dublin being particularly bad. Thousands of […]

Delays to the latest Climate Action Plan show that the government is continuing to backslide on Ireland’s commitment to reduce greenhouse emissions by 51 per cent by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “Just one week after Minister Darragh O’Brien admitted the State would […]