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Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns met with a group of concerned north Dublin residents this weekend to see first-hand the devastation caused by ongoing coastal erosion in their area. The meeting took place on Portrane Beach, where coastal erosion has caused extensive damage to the dunes system and is posing a serious threat to several […]

The Government’s solar panel programme for schools is not nearly ambitious enough and falls well short of the rooftop revolution promised by the Minister for Energy, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, was responding to reports that a school in Co. Clare has become the […]

The fourth National Biodiversity Plan, which was published today, has been described as a missed opportunity by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “A biodiversity crisis was declared in 2019, yet the actionable targets in this latest plan are few and far between. “It […]

The agreement reached at COP28 is wholly inadequate and leaves the world on a collision course with catastrophic climate breakdown, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “While the consensus reached at the summit in Dubai has been described as historic by Environment […]

Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has accepted an offer from Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore to pair for tomorrow’s no confidence Dáil vote, meaning he will now not have to return home from COP28 in Dubai. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “I am deeply concerned at some of the […]

Cutting the grant for residential solar panels from January will completely undermine the Government’s Climate Action Plan, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “This week, the Taoiseach is attending COP28 in Dubai where he has talked about Ireland’s need to reduce greenhouse […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the first day agreement on a loss and damage fund at COP28 as a positive start but warned that the climate summit would ultimately be judged on commitments secured to phase out the use of fossil fuels. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, […]

The new €3.1 billion Climate and Nature Fund must not be allowed to facilitate fossil fuel related investments that are at odds with Government policy to reduce Ireland’s greenhouse emissions, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, said: “The 2018 Irish Fossil Fuel Divestment […]

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has called on the Government and local authorities to offer every support available to households and businesses most affected by flood damage in the wake of Storm Babet. Deputy Cairns said: “The sheer scale of the clean-up operation after yesterday’s storm is staggering, with millions of euros worth of damage […]

Housing, children and climate take centre stage Read the full Alternative Budget here Housing, children and climate action are the main focus of the Social Democrats’ Alternative Budget, ‘Unlocking the Future’, which is published today. The party’s key priorities for 2024 include: Deliver 10,000 affordable homes next year – a near doubling of the Government’s […]