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Figures released today by the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVP) further highlight the government’s failure to get to grips with the cost-of-living crisis, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Households around the country continue to struggle under the weight of soaring energy bills […]

We cannot afford to place greater strain on the national energy grid by removing the ban on data centre development in Dublin, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I have major concerns with plans which went to cabinet this morning which seek to lift the ban on the development of […]

A new report from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) reveals some uncomfortable truths about the government’s prospects of meeting its climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The SEAI’s 2024 Energy in Ireland report states that we have failed to break […]

The decision of the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRU) to greenlight electricity price rises for consumers – without doing anything to reign in gouging by energy companies – will heap further pressure on struggling families, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “In an interview on Morning Ireland this morning, a […]

The government has turned its back on vulnerable families by ignoring advice to provide targeted energy credits this winter, according to Social Democrats energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Without energy credits, the average household will be hit by an extra €321 in electricity costs per year – vulnerable families will indefinitely be pushed […]

The government’s continued reliance on fossil fuels and its failure to invest in renewable energy will make it increasingly difficult for Ireland to reach its legally binding emissions reduction targets by 2030, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s climate spokesperson, said: “In its Annual Cross Sectoral Review for […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the government’s failure to direct the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) to investigate suspected price gouging by energy companies. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “This government continues to sit on its hands as households across the country are crushed by some of the […]

Thousands more households face falling into arrears on their electricity bills this winter as SSE Airtricity’s latest price increase comes into effect from today, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “SSE Airtricity has now put up its standard variable rate by 9.5 per cent, which […]

It’s concerning that the Environment Minister has not provided details of his meeting with energy companies a week on, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “With great fanfare, it was announced that Environment Minister Darragh O’Brien would be meeting with energy providers to discuss the cost of gas and electricity […]

The government must not allow energy companies to blame network costs for skyrocketing bills this winter, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “What we’re seeing now is energy companies putting up their prices by significant amounts, citing infrastructure and network security costs for these scandalous […]