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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 Social Democrats will bring a motion before the Dáil tomorrow (Wednesday, April 15) aimed at tackling Ireland’s soaring energy costs and providing targeted supports to struggling households. Outlining the party’s proposals, Gary Gannon TD said: “Since taking office, this Government has caused untold hurt and hardship around the country. Much of the pain being […]

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 […]

Statement from Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns: “These protests are a manifestation of how desperate many people feel as costs continue to soar – not just for fuel, but for everything in this country. “People are increasingly struggling to pay for the basics – food, energy and housing – and the government is just not […]

The government’s ‘let them eat cake’ attitude to protestors is going to extend these protests  The response of the government to the fuel protestors has been disdainful and dismissive, according to Social Democrats Deputy Leader and Finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “I am very concerned that we are now four days into these […]

Going big on solar is a no-brainer and the Social Democrats have a five-point plan to do that  Supports for solar panel installation need to be dramatically expanded and improved to help households cut their energy bills, according to Social Democrats Energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Solar panels are easy to install and […]

The latest inflation figures for the Irish economy further highlight the urgent need for the Government to introduce targeted energy supports to assist struggling households, according to Social Democrats finance spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. Deputy O’Callaghan said: “The latest Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) indicate that prices rose at an annualised rate of 3.6 per […]