News

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called on the Government to draw up an urgent plan to tackle the problem of illegal gorse fires around the country. Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, outlined the destructive impact that these fires have on the environment and […]

Significant State investment in childcare and early education will be required to prevent a post-Covid crisis in the sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, was responding to concerns that childcare providers will face new challenges when restrictions are relaxed and the economy opens up […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has accused the Minister for the Environment of an abdication of his responsibilities after he refused to take a Dáil question from her on the implications of CETA on environmental legislation. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, had submitted a priority question to Minister […]

Calling on the Minister for Health to implement the Breastfeeding Action Plan, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said: “As my party’s spokesperson for Children, getting the necessary breastfeeding supports for women in this country is a key priority of mine. To achieve this, we need to see the full implementation of the National Maternity Strategy […]

Speaking today at the Social Democrats’ online National Conference, Jennifer Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “Climate change is the biggest societal challenge we face. It will impact on every aspect of our lives – in fact, it already has. “To date, we’ve seen climate change primarily as an environmental issue […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore says the Government needs to urgently respond to concerns raised by the Data Protection Commissioner today in relation to the imminent transfer of archives from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission to the Minister for Children. In a radio interview this morning, Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon said she had […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has called for the Climate Action Bill to be introduced in the Dáil without delay. She made her comments after it was revealed that Ireland ranks in the lowest position out of 15 EU countries on environment, according to the latest Sustainable Progress Index (SPI) commissioned by Social Justice Ireland. […]

The eleventh-hour discovery of backup recordings of survivors’ testimonies should not deter the Dáil from seeking a one-year extension to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, Jennifer Whitmore TD said today. Speaking following the Dáil debate on the Social Democrats’ Private Members’ Motion calling for an extension, Deputy Whitmore said: “The Government […]

Reacting to the news that mother and baby home survivors’ audio recordings have been found, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said: “It’s welcome that audio has been recovered, but this by no means negates the case for extending the term of the Commission. “Many unanswered questions remain tonight. We feel survivors will need further guarantees […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed today’s publication of the Children’s Rights Alliance ‘Report Card 2021’. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “The annual report card by the Children’s Rights Alliance is an invaluable tool in monitoring Government progress in key areas affecting childhood in Ireland. This was the first […]

Jennifer Whitmore TD has called for all-party support in advance of the Social Democrats’ Private Members’ Motion on Wednesday, which seeks an extension of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, commented: “This is an issue that goes beyond party politics. The term of […]

The Minister for Children’s comments today that it may be possible to retrieve recordings of survivors’ testimonies highlights the importance of the Social Democrats’ Dáil motion calling for the extension of the Commission of Investigation, according to Jennifer Whitmore TD. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, said: “It is bizarre that, nine […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore will next week introduce the Social Democrats’ Dáil motion which seeks to extend the timeframe of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission by one year. The Dáil motion was submitted in response to the revelation that 550 recorded testimonies of mother and baby homes’ survivors were destroyed by the Commission. […]

Social Democrats TDs Jennifer Whitmore and Holly Cairns have called for clarity on a recent advertisement by Coillte looking to buy bare land and land with immature forestry. The advert, which has been circulating on social media platforms, also says the semi-state company’s position is to sell land that is no longer suitable for its […]