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Procedures for investigating fish kills require complete overhaul to avoid future disasters

Our river life is at risk of further mass casualties if the agencies responsible for its health do not reform their response procedures, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Today’s multi-agency report asserts that a fish kill in the River Blackwater, County Cork in August which saw the deaths of […]

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Government running out of time to plan for future without nitrates derogation

It’s beyond time this government takes the blinkers off and prepares for a future without the nitrates derogation for farmers, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Today, Ireland will present its case for renewal of the derogation to the EU’s Nitrates Committee – an application that, ultimately, looks doomed to […]

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National plan urgently needed to combat Asian hornet threat

The threat posed to Ireland’s bee population by Asian hornets requires a coordinated national response, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The recent successful removal of an Asian hornet nest in Cork is a positive development and a testament to the hard work of local […]

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Government must make genuine funding commitments in Budget to save Lady’s Island Lake

The government must commit funding in the upcoming Budget to address pollution at Lady’s Island Lake, Co. Wexford, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I’ve submitted three parliamentary questions to the Minister of State for Biodiversity seeking clarity on funding, leadership and cross-departmental coordination when it comes to Lady’s Island […]

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Gardaí must be brought in to assist in investigation of fish kill in Cork

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 […]

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Government response on sprat trawling too little too late

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 […]

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Whitmore introduces emergency Bill to protect sprat stocks

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 […]

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Ireland’s waterways paying a high price for nitrates derogation

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 […]

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Chief executives of local authorities must be held to account for failing to clamp down on illegal peat extraction

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 […]

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