News

We will soon find out how serious the Government is about reforming childcare in this country The government must act to make childcare more affordable, according to Social Democrats Children’s Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore was reacting to the launch of a new campaign, ‘A New Deal for Early Years’, from SIPTU and a coalition of […]

Our existing data centres will account for 33pc of all electricity consumption by 2030 The government’s support of data centres has created a monster that is now out of control, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore addressed the issue today at the Oireachtas Climate Committee, which is currently debating amendments to […]

Climate Action Bill pays lip service to the concept of ‘just transition’  Climate action cannot come at the expense of those workers and communities who can least afford it, according to Social Democrats Climate Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. Deputy Whitmore, a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action, said: “The Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action […]

Ordinarily, during a crisis, a high-level emergency task force – the National Emergence Coordination Group (NECG) – is assembled to manage the response. Where is the NECG? The cyber-attack is putting at-risk children at increased risk of abuse and neglect, according to Social Democrats Spokesperson on Children Jennifer Whitmore. “Tusla’s computer system has been completely […]

The world’s first milk bank was set up in Austria in 1909 – we are 112 years behind on this A motion calling for a variety of supports for breastfeeding mothers has been introduced in the Dáil, by Social Democrats Children Spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore. “Tomorrow, May 19, is world human milk donation day – a […]

Basking sharks are one of our most treasured species, but unfortunately Irish governments have never protected them Social Democrats TD, and Spokesperson for the Environment, Jennifer Whitmore has today introduced a Bill to the Dáil to make basking sharks a protected species. Deputy Whitmore said: “Basking sharks are the world’s second largest fish and they are regular visitors to […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has described the weekend’s devastating fires at Killarney National Park as nothing short of ecocide and called for tougher penalties for those responsible. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “It is heartbreaking to witness the needless destruction of our natural environment, be it […]

Children who were displaced by the fire at the Moria refugee camp in Greece are in a race against time to be relocated to Ireland, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has warned. Speaking in the Dáil today, Deputy Whitmore urged the Taoiseach to find an urgent solution to the humanitarian crisis and called on the […]

Unless the Minister acts now, the Shannon LNG terminal could get planning permission   The government is talking out of both sides of its mouth when it comes to its commitments on climate change, according to Social Democrats TD, and Climate Spokesperson, Jennifer Whitmore. “The Minister for Climate, and Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan has […]

Commenting on the Government’s Rural Future plan today, Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore called for the provision of drop-in childcare facilities at the working hubs proposed under the initiative. Deputy Whitmore said: “Working hubs with high-speed broadband form a central plank of the Government’s plan to re-energise rural communities and make it viable for people to work […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore believes that Ireland should follow New Zealand’s example by providing paid leave for women who suffer miscarriages. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Children, was speaking during the Family Leave Bill in the Dáil today where she acknowledged New Zealand’s introduction of a bereavement payment to women who […]

– Government needs to ramp up investment for paid parental leave and streamline legislation to make it family-friendly, says Jennifer Whitmore TD Speaking on the Family Leave Bill in the Dáil today, Social Democrats spokesperson for Children, Jennifer Whitmore, said: “While I welcome the extension of paid parental leave to five weeks, the Government needs […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the publication of the revised Climate Action Bill but says further safeguards are required in the legislation to ensure the 51% carbon emissions reduction target cannot be watered down. Deputy Whitmore, who is the party’s spokesperson for Climate Action and Biodiversity, said: “While I welcome the inclusion of […]

Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore has welcomed the potential establishment of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) sector. The recommendation follows an eight-week pre-JLC consultation process initiated by the Minister for Children in partnership with SIPTU and CSI/Ibec, which was independently chaired by Dr Kevin […]