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.

Key Issues

Agriculture and renewable energy are key issues for me should I be elected.

I am committed to protecting family farms, which uphold the highest environmental and welfare standards, from greedy multinational retailers and conglomerates, as well as calling for the introduction of price transparency in the food chain at a European level, which our government has resisted domestically. Funding will need to be put in place before farm families on marginal land, who are already under pressure, are required or asked to curtail agricultural activity.

While immigration reform is being carried out, the European Union must use its position in the world to address the root causes of mass migration.

I will be a strong advocate for Ireland’s offshore wind energy sector, with its vast potential held back by government inertia, as has our biomethane sector.

Supporting Shannon and regional airports to reach their full potential continues to be a priority for me.  I will also my position as MEP to advocate for funding as part of the European Green Deal to increase Ireland’s housing stock through the conversion and renovation of upper floors over commercial units on the streets of every town and city in Ireland South into residential accommodation. I will work to ensure those on hospital waiting lists can obtain treatment in other European states.

I look forward to your support on June 7th.

ABOUT MICHAEL MCNAMARA

Michael McNamara is an Independent TD for the Clare constituency since the 2020 general election, and previously from 2011 to 2016.

Michael was the first Clare T.D. to be elected to the 33rd Dáil at the election count on 9 February 2020.

He was appointed Chair of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Response in September 2020 and was recently appointed Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Drug Use.

From 2011 to 2016 Michael was a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

In April 2024, McNamara announced he would be contesting the European Election in the Ireland South constituency.

Personal life: Having studied in Scariff Community College, St. Flannan’s and UCC, Michael worked as a human rights lawyer with the OSCE and UN in Eastern Europe and Afghanistan before returning to run the family farm in Scarriff and practice as a Barrister.

In The Media

MORE

Watch recent videos of Michael McNamara speaking in Dáil Éireann as an Independent TD for Clare.

Read Michael McNamara’s latest opinion pieces for The Sunday Independent.