News

Due to the severity of August’s pollution incident in the River Blackwater, Cork, the Gardaí must be tasked with assisting in the uncovering of the fish kill’s root cause, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I welcome the expanded investigation into what was truly a disastrous event – our rivers […]

The government’s move to restrict 18-metre trawlers from fishing sprat has come years too late, failing to address the urgent need for a full ban, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “This is a textbook example of delay and dysfunction – the government has been grappling with this issue since […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will introduce a Bill in the Dáil today proposing a moratorium on commercial sprat fishing in Irish waters, citing urgent concerns for marine biodiversity and the lack of regulation around the species. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on the marine, said: “Sprat may be small, but it plays […]

The government cannot continue to take a head in the sand approach to high levels of nitrogen and phosphorous in our rivers, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, was responding to the latest water quality monitoring report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). She said: “The […]

The chief executives of Ireland’s local authorities must be hauled into a meeting by the Minister for the Environment and read the riot act for failing to clamp down on illegal commercial peat extractors, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and environment, said: “A report […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Minister for Agriculture to come up with an eradication plan for bovine tuberculosis (bTB) that does not involve the culling of badgers. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on agriculture, said: “A recent investigation by the Journal found that of the 10,301 badgers culled in […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for a multi-agency response to reverse the creeping destruction of an environmentally sensitive site in County Wexford. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on biodiversity, said: “It is heartbreaking to witness the critical state of Our Lady’s Island Lake, a historically and ecologically significant area which is […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has urged the Government to establish a dedicated wildlife crime unit within An Garda Síochána. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on biodiversity, said: “A report published today by the Journal Investigates shines disturbing new light on the extent of Ireland’s underground wildlife trade. Detailing unspeakable acts of cruelty, […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has written to Taoiseach Simon Harris asking him to support a proposal that would see the State purchase land in Wicklow to allow for the expansion of the ancient woodland in the Glen of the Downs. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s biodiversity spokesperson and a TD for Wicklow, said: […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has taken to the seas today to join a groundbreaking research expedition aimed at establishing if great white sharks frequent Irish waters. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate and biodiversity, has a background in ecology, marine science and environmental law. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am excited to […]