Latest Climate Change Advisory Council review should set off alarm bells for the Government

This Government is good at making climate action plans but is poor when it comes to delivery The Government’s failure to address significant implementation gaps in its Climate Action Plan will make it next to impossible for Ireland to achieve its carbon reduction targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was responding […]

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EPA Emissions Report Disappointing But Not Surprising

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but this is not matched with climate action Social Democrats Spokesperson for Climate, Jennifer Whitmore TD, has described the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency’s report as disappointing, but not surprising. Deputy Whitmore was commenting today after the EPA published its 2022 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. “Emissions have come […]

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Nature Restoration Law must not suffer death by a thousand cuts

The outcome of today’s European Parliament vote is welcome – but the devil will be in the detail of the law’s final text  Today’s passing of the Nature Restoration Law by the European Parliament will be meaningless if the final text of the legislation is watered down any further, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

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Government’s green credentials lie in tatters following European court ruling

State has failed to provide legal protection for 217 out of 423 sites identified as requiring formal designation as Special Areas of Conservation  The Government’s green credentials lie in tatters after Ireland was found guilty by the European Court of Justice of multiple breaches of laws to protect nature, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer […]

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Future of Nature Restoration Law hangs in the balance after tied vote

Government parties must present a united front before law is discussed at plenary session of European Parliament next month The Government must be unequivocal in its support for Nature Restoration Law following today’s rejection of the proposed legislation by the European Parliament’s Environment Committee, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is […]

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Minister’s refusal to review flawed Climate Action Plan is disappointing

Insufficient data in climate plan was highlighted in recent EPA report The Government’s refusal to amend its Climate Action Plan in the wake of a stark report by the Environmental Protection Agency is inexplicable, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action and biodiversity, said: “The […]

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Government must immediately respond to damning EPA report on water quality

Levels of polluting nitrogen and phosphorus in Irish rivers and lakes were found to be unacceptably high Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for an immediate Government response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s bleak assessment of the condition of Irish watercourses. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate action and biodiversity, said: […]

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Single entity needed to oversee data centres

There should be a pause on data centre connections until a strategic analysis has been carried out by the Government  The regulation and management of data centres in Ireland should be overseen by a single entity, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy and climate action, […]

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Surge in electricity consumption by data centres should not be tolerated

Figures show there is a real risk that data centres will exceed 30 per cent of all energy usage by 2030  The Government is continuing to turn a blind eye to a surge in energy consumption by data centres, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, […]

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Government Must Outline Plan To Meet 2030 Climate Targets

The government excels at climate rhetoric, but fails dismally at climate action Confirmation that our climate action targets will not be met should not come as a surprise, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “According to the EPA, we have no hope of meeting our 2030 climate action targets. Instead of a reduction […]

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