News

The government’s push to extend the nitrates derogation is completely anomalous with efforts to reduce rising pollution levels in Ireland’s waterways, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The latest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that the quality of our rivers, lakes and […]

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 […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore is to seek answers about the major fish kill in Cork’s Blackwater River when the incident comes under the scrutiny of tomorrow’s Oireachtas Climate Committee. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Today I met with anglers near Mallow, who have many unanswered questions about this devastating incident, […]

We’re well into the 11th hour when it comes to meeting our EU environment targets, yet the government remains asleep at the wheel, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “It is now all but inevitable that Ireland will face billions in EU fines for not meeting its legally binding environmental […]

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 […]

Today’s report has confirmed what we’ve long been warning: the government is failing to take meaningful action to meet its recycling targets, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “To meet our targets, 400,000 tonnes of additional waste must be recycled annually – yet the government continues to delay investment in […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]