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The government’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to invest in renewable energy will make it increasingly difficult for Ireland to reach its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “In its Annual Cross Sectoral Review for […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has strongly criticised the government’s failure to engage with disability groups as part of a review of its response to Storm Éowyn. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “At today’s Climate Committee meeting I was really taken aback to learn that the Department of Housing did not […]

The Minister for Transport must answer questions relating to a proposal by DAA to make an extravagant exit payment of almost €1 million to its chief executive, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s transport spokesperson, said: “The eye-watering sum of money involved in this proposed exit package for […]

The government’s ongoing efforts to persuade the European Commissioner for the Environment to extend Ireland’s derogation from the Nitrates Directive has been described as grossly irresponsible and hypocritical by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Along with members of the Environment, Housing and Agricultural Committees, I attended […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the government’s failure to direct the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to investigate suspected price gouging by energy companies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “This government continues to sit on its hands as households across the country are crushed by some of the […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described a €3,500 fine handed down to Uisce Éireann following a sewage discharge into a Cavan river more than two years ago as little more than a slap of the wrist. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Uisce Éireann received a paltry €3,500 fine this month […]

Thousands more households face falling into arrears on their electricity bills this winter as SSE Airtricity’s latest price increase comes into effect from today, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “SSE Airtricity has now put up its standard variable rate by 9.5 per cent, which […]

The millions allocated to greyhound racing in this week’s budget could be put to far better use elsewhere, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “Calls for greyhound racing to be defunded and eventually banned have yet again fallen on deaf ears. It is bitterly […]

Farmers have been left in limbo when it comes to the future of the EU Nitrates Directive, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “During the Agriculture budget conference, Minister Heydon said that the extension of the nitrates directive is his main priority, reiterating his commitment to retaining the derogation as […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused Minister Darragh O’Brien of playing a reckless game of chicken with the EU by downplaying the risk of billions in fines if Ireland fails to hit its climate action targets. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “Earlier this year, the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) […]