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The Government must investigate if price gouging is taking place at public electric vehicle charging points, according to Social Democrats environment and energy spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore said: “Electric vehicles are an attractive prospect for drivers for two reasons: they’re more environmentally friendly than cars which run on petrol or diesel, and they’re cheaper […]

Accelerated decarbonisation of our bus and rail fleet, along with improvements to existing public transport services, will be required to reduce Ireland’s reliance on fossil fuels and help us meet our climate action targets, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on climate, said: “A report from the […]

A new report published today by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a worrying snapshot of Ireland’s water quality that requires immediate Government attention, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “The EPA’s report shows there was little change in water quality indicators in 2025. Overall […]

Social Democrats councillor Caroline Winstanley is the new Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Winstanley, who represents Bray West, was elected to the position at today’s AGM of Wicklow County Council. Cllr Winstanley, who lives in Bray with her husband and two children, has been a councillor since winning a seat in the 2024 Local […]

The Government must urgently change tack after a damning assessment by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) of its untargeted response to soaring energy costs, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “Today’s report from the ESRI confirms what many of us have been […]

New figures showing more than half a million energy accounts in arrears must shock the Government out of its complacency, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “The Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) has revealed there were 318,735 homes – one in seven – in […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has demanded a full explanation from Uisce Éireann after a 60-day ‘Do Not Swim’ notice came into effect at two popular beaches in north county Dublin due to a sewage pump failure. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “Fingal County Council has announced that Rush North and […]

The Government cannot continue to ignore repeated warnings about the heavy demand that data centres are placing on Ireland’s energy systems, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson on energy, said: “A UN report on the environmental impact of artificial intelligence has described Ireland as a live cautionary […]

Electric Ireland’s announcement of imminent price increases for its electricity and gas customers will come as a further blow to struggling households across the country, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s energy spokesperson, said: “Electric Ireland customers are set to be hit with price increases of 8 per […]

There must be full accountability – and consequences – after it was revealed that diesel from an Irish Rail fuel facility has been leaking into the River Liffey for over a year, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s environment spokesperson, said: “This week, the Journal reported that the […]