News

The government’s response to the damage and disruption caused by Storm Chandra has been to evade responsibility and place blame on others, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “1,200 homes and businesses remain without power after Storm Chandra brought flooding and high winds to parts of Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow […]

The devastation caused by Storm Chandra across the country is shocking but not surprising given a lack of flood preparedness from government, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Storm Chandra has caused devastation across the country, with flooding in Wexford, Wicklow and parts of Dublin being particularly bad. Thousands of […]

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 […]

The government decision to vote against the Mercosur trade deal is too little too late, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “The government spent the entire year failing to build alliances with like‑minded EU countries in opposition to Mercour, which it explicitly committed to in the Programme for Government. “The […]

The three-year extension of the nitrates derogation must be used to draw up plans for its total phase out after it expires, according to Social Democrats agriculture and environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “I am hugely concerned by the decision to extend the nitrates derogation – because, if past performance is anything to […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for immediate government action after it emerged today that just 10 per cent of Ireland’s historic landfills have been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Waste from old landfills is buried underground in every county in Ireland, often […]

Ireland must fight EU attempts to erode environmental and human rights protections after the European Parliament voted to exempt more companies from green reporting rules, according to the Social Democrats. Sinéad Gibney TD, the party’s enterprise spokesperson, said: “A majority of MEPs recently voted to rollback crucial human rights and environmental protections in favour of […]

The government’s ongoing efforts to persuade the European Commissioner for the Environment to extend Ireland’s derogation from the Nitrates Directive has been described as grossly irresponsible and hypocritical by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Along with members of the Environment, Housing and Agricultural Committees, I attended […]

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 […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described a €3,500 fine handed down to Uisce Éireann following a sewage discharge into a Cavan river more than two years ago as little more than a slap of the wrist. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Uisce Éireann received a paltry €3,500 fine this month […]