News

The introduction of minimum rates of pay for Early Years workers is a welcome first step in improving employment conditions within the childcare sector, according to Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, the party’s spokesperson on Children and Youth Affairs, said: “I welcome confirmation from the Minister for Children that the first-ever Employment Regulation […]

Consumers and businesses need a credible plan to keep the lights on this winter Climate Minister Eamon Ryan’s strategy to prevent blackouts this winter amounts to nothing more than a wing and a prayer, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “At a time when the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRU) has warned that […]

This level of denial and myopia at cabinet is deeply concerning Ministers who claim to be “livid” or “astounded” at Ireland’s worsening electricity security crisis have been asleep at the wheel, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The Business Post has reported that ministers are “livid” and “astounded” that Ireland is facing into […]

The blame falls squarely at the feet of a government that rolled out the red carpet for data centres Ordinary consumers should not bear the financial cost of the government’s failure to ensure the country has a sufficient supply of electricity, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The government has been trying to […]

There is no excuse for any further delay The government must commit to introducing a windfall tax on energy companies, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, has called on governments around the world to tax the super-profits of energy companies – and use that revenue […]

The Government is clearly not prepared to make the tough decisions required to deal with climate change The agreement of a 25% reduction in carbon emissions for the agricultural sector represents a shocking failure by Government to listen to the science, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The decision to put in place […]

The Government must develop a proper just transition plan for farmers to help them reach their climate targets The Government must ensure there is a just transition and a fair deal for farmers as they face the emission challenges ahead, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Farmers will play a major role in […]

It’s no wonder farmers are afraid of what this will mean for their families and their businesses – the Government is failing to be honest with them The failure of the Government to come to a decision on sectoral emissions ceilings is doing farming families a disservice, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. […]

While this government excels at climate rhetoric, it fails miserably at climate action Today’s EPA report, which reveals our carbon emissions are going up instead of down, must act as a wakeup call for the government, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Today’s EPA report confirms that our carbon emissions are going up, […]

This refusal to be honest with farmers is putting them in a very vulnerable position Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is in denial about the contribution agriculture will have to make to our carbon budgets, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Ranges for sectoral emissions targets were published last November with the Climate Action […]

The government must stop its dithering and delay and publish the sectoral emissions ceilings The failure of the government to publish sectoral emissions ceilings is deeply concerning, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “The unprecedented heatwave and raging wildfires across Europe this week have underscored the catastrophic impact of climate change – and […]

Child poverty has lifelong consequences – limiting children’s education, their aspirations, their wellbeing and their potential. A special Oireachtas Committee to tackle worsening child poverty rates must be established, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore made her remarks as the Children’s Rights Alliance launched its Child Poverty Monitor – a new […]

The Back To School allowance was higher in 2007 than it is now The government must act to provide relief for parents who spend up to €1,500 on back-to-school costs for each child, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Last year, a survey from the Irish League of Credit Unions revealed that 24% […]

Continued indecision, combined with soaring costs, is threatening the viability of hundreds of ECCE providers The government must provide clarity to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) sector about the level of core funding they will receive in the autumn, according to Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Many ECCE-only providers are finishing up […]