Michael McNamara TD

Independent T.D. for Clare in the 33rd Dáil.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

Ireland South needs a representative in Europe to call out the disparity between what is being said and what is being done on the environment and sustainable energy.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

This government, on the recent referendum, on immigration and how they have labelled the response of communities, and throughout this Dáil term, have been the greatest purveyors of misinformation in this state.

Revenue officials warned privately that family referendum could force tax changes

Officials warned of ‘consequential legislative change’ that could be needed if definitions were left to courts

[michaelmcnamaratd]

Pitching self-appointed environmentalists against farm families isn't sustainable. It only serves the interests of large corporations.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

Tonight's game between Cork and Limerick was one for the ages.

@officialgaa HQ and @rte, which between them own GAA Go, no longer deserve State funding if they continue to put our national game behind a paywall instead of allowing families across the country to enjoy classics like this. #corkvlimerick

[michaelmcnamaratd]

A big thank you to the people of South Tipperary for their warm welcome in the sunshine yesterday. I greatly appreciate the support I received from Cllr. Mairin McGrath, Mattie McGrath TD, Mayor Richie Molloy and Cllr Niall Dennehy on my canvass of Clonmel, Cahir and Carrick-on-Suir yesterday. I am at Thomond Park in Limerick for this evening's huge Interpro derby between Munster and Connacht before heading to Tralee tomorrow for the Kingdom County Fair.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

It was wonderful to meet with voters across Waterford City and Tramore yesterday and on Thursday. Thank you to Matt Shanahan - Independent TD for Waterford - for supporting my Ireland South canvass in the Déise and for arranging the nice weather!

[michaelmcnamaratd]

I will be contesting the European Parliament election in the Ireland South constituency on June 7th.

When the Irish people voted for greater integration of the European Union, they voted to opt out of justice / immigration measures for reasons as valid now as then. This government is intent on ceding these key areas of national sovereignty to Brussels. That’s why, more than ever, we will need representation in Europe asking the difficult questions.

Over the past few years, many people have felt unrepresented in the making of decisions that affect their lives. I have questioned the Government and tried to make them explain the decisions they make, and I will be asking people for their support to do the same in Europe where more and more of the decisions that affect us in Ireland are made.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

Disability groups and advocates call for a No vote in “care" referendum. A government which has largely ignored them up to now, offers them money as if they were stupid, not disabled.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

The Government has spent over €800,000 on Ukrainian pets brought to Ireland. I asked why.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

My response to Budget 2024 with a particular focus on agriculture, childcare, disability and education.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

The destruction of the fabric of historical Limerick by local government has been shameful. The new, elected Mayor needs more than ceremonial powers to address the planning, housing, and commercial needs of the city. The Mid-West needs a thriving Limerick City. https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2023-09-20/speech/192/

[michaelmcnamaratd]

The debate on Irish neutrality is to be on the Government's terms and on nobody else’s. An editorial I wrote for yesterday's Sunday Independent. https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/michael-mcnamara-debate-on-our-neutrality-is-being-framed-solely-by-the-agenda-of-the-coalition/a1706945238.html

[michaelmcnamaratd]

RTÉ has paid Revenue €1.2 million to date in settlements related to bogus self-employment contracts and has made provision for "significantly more" for ongoing cases, I was told in response to my questions to members of the Board and senior management today.

[michaelmcnamaratd]

An Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill that doesn't even mention processors isn't credible. A regulator without the power to probe the commercial relationship between processors or the impact of processor owned/controlled feedlots on prices cannot succeed no matter how well intentioned. Full video - https://youtu.be/nW5DYpkZHzQ

[michaelmcnamaratd]

This week, as the Dáil voted to buy carbon credits from Slovakia, the Government has yet to produce a plan outlining how it will meet its target of 5GW offshore energy generation by 2030.My opinion piece in this week's Sunday Independent.https://www.independent.ie/opinion/comment/more-chaos-than-cunning-coalition-plans-for-offshore-energy-have-a-real-blackadder-whiff-about-them-42414414.html

[michaelmcnamaratd]

Redundancy payments need to keep pace with rising cost of living and, despite wage increases since 2004, have not increased since then. https://www.thesun.ie/money/10479587/irish-workers-cash-boost-thousands-rule-change/

[michaelmcnamaratd]

The proposed demolition of six houses at Francis St, Ennis, recently purchased by Clare County Council, needs to be reconsidered, and the Tánaiste agrees.