News

The Department of Children cannot adopt a ‘one-size fits all’ approach to the refugee crisis Children with additional needs living in emergency accommodation should not be moved at short notice, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson for Children Jennifer Whitmore. “Today, some 200 Ukrainian refugees are being moved from the Clondalkin hotel they have lived in […]

VAT could be removed in an amendment to the Finance Bill, which is currently before the Dáil The government should ‘green’ our VAT rates and remove VAT from solar panels and their installation, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Earlier this year, the EU clarified that a zero VAT rating can apply to […]

Government clampdown on energy companies’ profits is welcome but overdue Funds generated through a windfall tax on energy companies must be targeted at vulnerable households most at risk from fuel poverty, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “The Social Democrats have always […]

Devil will be in the detail of how loss and damage fund will work in practice  Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the last-minute breakthrough at COP27 in securing agreement on a loss and damage fund for poorer countries, but expressed disappointment at the UN climate summit’s failure to step-up emission reduction pledges. Deputy […]

Failure to ease plight of 12-year-old Wicklow girl is inhumane Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has again called on the Minister for Health to immediately intervene in the case of a child in desperate need of scoliosis surgery. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children, has now raised the plight of 12-year-old Miley […]

Financial supports should only be seen as a short-term solution to energy crisis Significant investment in solar power would help Ireland meet its climate action targets and improve our medium to long-term energy security, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “There are […]

I hope this important decision will prompt some reflection on the government benches The Supreme Court decision that ratification of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)) between the EU and Canada is unconstitutional is an indictment of the government’s attempt to ram the deal through the Dáil, according to Social Democrats Environment Spokesperson Jennifer […]

UN climate conference must deliver measurable results on global warming  The Government must insist that COP27 is more than just a talking shop and use Ireland’s influence to achieve climate justice for developing countries, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, said: “Given the […]

Unacceptable that low interest loan guarantee scheme for households now pushed out to 2023 The Government needs to immediately clarify how targets set for the National Retrofitting Scheme will be achieved, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Climate and Biodiversity, also expressed concern that a low […]

Scarring effects of living in persistent poverty as a child can be lifelong The Government must immediately outline how it intends to end the scandal of child poverty in Ireland, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, made her comments to mark the […]