News

It is scandalous that more than half a billion euro raised for climate action measures through a fuel tax has been left unspent when it could have been used for the rollout of a nationwide solar panel installation programme, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, […]

A new report lays bare Ireland’s dismal record on nature restoration and the failure of successive governments to protect our environment, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The report from the Independent Advisory Committee on Nature Restoration reveals that 90 per cent of our protected […]

The Government’s inability to provide a clear timeline for the delivery of the 2026 Climate Action Plan is putting Ireland on a road to financial and environmental ruin, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The Climate Action Plan is crucial in setting out all the […]

The Government must immediately clarify if the postponement of carbon tax increases will reduce the budget for retrofitting and other climate action measures, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy and climate spokesperson, said: “We are in the middle of an unprecedented price shock when it comes the […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has criticised the government’s lack of urgency in tackling nitrogen levels in our rivers. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “In its latest assessment – based on data from 20 representative monitoring sites – the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that nitrogen concentrations in rivers increased by […]

This government’s approach to climate has gone to the dogs, according to Social Democrats environment spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore TD. Deputy Whitmore said: “In 2023 and 2024, the last coalition published those year’s respective Climate Action Plans the December before – it’s now February and there’s no sign of this year’s plan. “Last year’s plan, the […]

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 […]