News

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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: […]

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, […]

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, […]

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 […]

Fingal Social Democrats councillor Paul Mulville has called for the urgent publication of the Government’s long-delayed coastal strategy report. Cllr Mulville said: “Social Democrats party leader Holly Cairns has questioned Minister Darragh O’Brien about the long-delayed report from the National Coastal Change Management Strategy Steering Group. “The Minister announced in September 2020 that his Department […]

Households need immediate assistance to deal with crippling arrears The Government must use the summer months to put targeted supports in place for households caught in an endless cycle of energy poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, made her comments after hearing submissions to the […]

Young farmers are an endangered species – we need urgent action  The government needs to take the issues facing rural Ireland seriously and provide sufficient and sustainable funding to help farmers overcome the climate crisis, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns was commenting after meeting members of Macra na Feirme, who gathered […]