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An enhanced grant support scheme would make EVs a more viable and attractive option The government should introduce an enhanced grant scheme for electric vehicles (EVs) for those living in rural Ireland, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Many people in rural Ireland have no transport option other than their private car. If […]

Most of the heavy lifting has been left to the public and the private sector The government’s Climate Action Plan is ambitious – as it should be – but lacks the financial firepower that would make it a success, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “I hope the government’s plan to address climate […]

The Government missed its own unambitious target of lifting 70,000 children out of poverty by the end of 2020 The Government must act on child poverty and homelessness – and set up an Oireachtas Committee so that its progress can be monitored, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore and Housing Spokesperson Cian O’Callaghan. […]

We now have a tripartite energy crisis – in cost, demand and antiquated infrastructure The Dáil urgently needs to set aside time for a debate on surging energy prices, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore, who has written to the Business Committee requesting time to debate this matter at the earliest opportunity. “The […]

The suggestion, that it can be business as usual for data centres, is as deluded as it is arrogant The government must resist lobbying by tech giants for data centres and instead publish a strategic analysis of their impact on our climate action goals and energy security, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. […]

Our antiquated electricity grid cannot sustain the uncontrolled proliferation of data centres The government must introduce a moratorium on the construction of new data centres if it wants to reach its emission reduction targets, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The growth of data centres in Ireland, and the consequent increased demand on […]

The government must move from climate rhetoric to climate action Today’s landmark report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is a stark reminder that time is running out to avert a climate catastrophe, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The IPCC report is a stark reminder that time is running out […]

Serious questions must now be asked about the  real intent driving these changes The government’s last-minute amendments to the Climate Action Bill have compromised the legislation, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. On Friday, the government introduced a series of amendments to the Bill in the Seanad which will be voted on in […]

We will soon find out how serious the Government is about reforming childcare in this country The government must act to make childcare more affordable, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was reacting to the launch of a new campaign, ‘A New Deal for Early Years’, from SIPTU and a coalition of […]

Our existing data centres will account for 33pc of all electricity consumption by 2030 The government’s support of data centres has created a monster that is now out of control, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore addressed the issue today at the Oireachtas Climate Committee, which is currently debating amendments to […]