News

A Government recommendation to suspend the sale of disposal barbecues for the duration of a Status Orange wildfire warning does not go far enough, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The devastation we saw in Killarney National Park this week – with wildfires destroying 25 […]

The Government has continued to ignore the untapped potential of solar power to mitigate against ever-rising fuel and energy prices, failing to roll out a plug-in solar scheme before summer recess, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Another summer deadline has come and gone for the roll-out of a crucial […]

When it comes to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, Ireland is only taking baby steps instead of the giant strides needed to help us reach our legally binding targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “The latest figures from the Environmental Protection Agency […]

The latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) figures on electricity consumption by data centres have been described as alarming, but not surprising, by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The CSO has confirmed that data centres accounted for 23% of all metered electricity in 2025. This is a […]

The Government has left families to fend for themselves as they are priced out of skyrocketing gas and electricity prices, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “This week, we learned two of Ireland’s household energy providers, Electric Ireland and Yuno Energy, will be charging an additional €250 to €300 every […]

The Coalition must give its TDs a free vote on this evening’s bill which would ban hare coursing, according to Social Democrats agriculture spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I’m calling on the Government to give a free vote to their TDs when it comes to voting on the Hare Coursing Bill, which will be […]

The Government continues to sleepwalk towards massive climate costs and fines, according to Social Democrats climate spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Ireland faces €13 billion in annual bills by 2050 as a result of missing our climate targets. “Last month’s heatwave, which scientists say was only possible due to excess fossil fuel use, claimed […]

The Minister has repeatedly said this LNG terminal will be State-owned and State-led, but there is no reference to that in the legislation Government legislation to establish a Strategic Emergency Gas Reserve is a monument to government failure, accord to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “This legislation is being rushed through […]

The Government must make it a priority to investigate whether there is price gouging in the electric vehicle charging market, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Last week, we learned that the cost of charging an EV at Ionity public charging points was just as high as filling a car […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a landmark Bill this week aimed at reducing renewable energy wastage by making surplus electricity available to struggling households at no cost. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Last year, more than half a billion euros in renewable energy was wasted. This is scandalous […]