Education Minister Norma Foley has said she will examine a situation whereby secondary school students in parts of Northeast Clare have missed out on securing public school transport for the current academic year.
Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara says the Government needs to step in to prevent electricity and gas providers from imposing significant increases in standing charges during the ongoing energy crisis.
Read MoreThe Government has shut down calls for a windfarm on the Clare / Galway border to be retained.
Responding on behalf of the Environment Minister to a query from Scariff Independent TD Michael McNamara, Minister Hildegarde Naughton explains that the site is now ‘unathorised’.
How we are going to meet our energy needs? And how long we can continue to provide financial compensation for our high energy costs over which we have no control due to our reliance on imports? I wrote about the issue in today’s Sunday Independent.
Energy security was and should be a fundamental part of Ireland’s independence.
In the midst of an energy crisis, we are decommissioning the 70-turbine Derrybrien wind farm. Rather than looking at ways to mitigate the damage, a State agency is instead seeking to build another wind farm on a bog atop the nearby Slieve Bearnagh.
I raised the appalling treatment by Bank of Ireland of its customers in Miltown Malbay, Kilkee and Tulla with the Interim CEO of Bank of Ireland at the Oireachtas Finance Committee.
The interim CEO of Bank of Ireland admitted to me at the Oireachtas Finance Committee that KBC’s former customers will be charged a lower variable rate than the bank’s own customers.
Ibec Mid-West Regional Executive Committee held a pre-Budget 2023 meeting at Edward Lifesciences in Limerick on Monday.
Read MoreThe vilification of farmers by those who could not keep a hen or grow a potato is not sustainable environmentally, socially, or economically.
The number of attendances at the Medical Assessment Unit (MAU) in Ennis Hospital increased by 52% in the two years to 2021 with a further 8% increase recorded during the first five months of this year, according to figures released by the HSE in response to a Parliamentary Question from Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara.
Read MoreThe Tánaiste today accepted that UHL will require increased bed capacity and greater involvement from government to address the overcrowding crisis.
This government is depriving the Oireachtas of any opportunity to scrutinise the laws it is ramming through. This is not just undemocratic, it results in flawed laws that come before the Courts, costing lots of taxpayers’ money, and come back to the Oireachtas again.
The Government appears to be no closer to a decision on the proposed transfer of Shannon Heritage sites to Clare County Council and it doesn’t appear to be a priority.
I will not be supporting the Government in the upcoming no-confidence motion for the reasons I outlined to Clare FM this morning.
Quarries that made huge profits from selling defective concrete blocks will be let off the hook by the Government today. A law will be rammed through by Government party TDs transferring the remedial cost to taxpayers, without even considering amendments that will ensure those quarries that provided defective blocks are pursued.
The priorities are, firstly, that crumbling homes are fully remedied and, secondly, that taxpayers are not be left footing all the cost. This Government Bill does neither. It should ensure those who made defective concrete blocks for profit are legally pursued.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has expressed his optimism that a proposed NCT centre for Shannon will be developed in the near future.
Read MoreToday, I called on the government to review the funding for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) providers, which threaten small local childcare services throughout Ireland.
An emergency budget, at least on its own without other measures, will not help people deal with the rapidly rising cost of living for long.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has highlighted his concerns around funding for the childcare sector and the impact on smaller community-based childcare providers.
Read MoreThe Government has lacked urgency in pursuing quarry operators who sold deficient concrete blocks and foundations. Taxpayers and those building a home in the future should not be left footing all the bill to help the victims.
Members of the Clare Pyrite Action Group were among those addressing the Oireachtas Housing Committee today.
Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara says a decision on the inclusion of the Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) on a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland will be made next month.
Read MoreDespite a devastating report into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick, it appears neither the Taoiseach nor his government has a plan to deal with the issues raised and he is looking to pass responsibility to the HSE, his creation.
The Department of Education’s approval of the provision of a preschool at Clooney National School has been welcomed by Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara.
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Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has criticised the Government for excluding up to 20% of farmland in County Clare from the €55m Fodder Support Scheme.
Read MoreThe government needs to put measures in place now that will limit further increases in energy and food costs this winter.
The HIQA report into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick points to completely inadequate capacity in the Midwest and a failure to manage existing capacity.
In seeking to reduce our carbon emissions, the Government needs to provide affordable alternatives rather than merely penalising people with no alternative.
Energy security was and should be a fundamental part of Ireland’s independence. We need to have a national conversation about the nuclear option.
I questioned the Minister for Finance on the emerging duopoly in the Irish banking sector.
As the cost of driving to work becomes prohibitive, for those who drive their own vehicle as part of their work, the rate at which they’re reimbursed hasn’t changed since 1 April 2017.
Clare TD Michael McNamara today raised the issue of overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick with Taoiseach Micheál Martin in the Dáil today.
Speaking after the debate, Deputy McNamara said, “It is very disappointing that the Taoiseach tried to wash his hands of overcrowding in UHL today, having previously told me he’d “come back” to me with details of the expert group sent there and their terms of reference.”
Before reintroducing working from home across the public sector, the Government needs to put the systems in place to ensure the public still gets a service.
https://www.newstalk.com/podcasts/highlights-from-the-hard-shoulder/could-we-see-a-return-to-working-from-home
In today’s Sunday Independent, I wrote about why a Dáil debate and vote on who shoulders the burden of reducing carbon emissions is as important as on the financial budget. Instead, it will be decided by the Environment Minister alone after consultation with any other Ministers he considers appropriate.
In Dáil Éireann today, Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara highlighted the need to improve services on the direct Limerick to Dublin rail line, which passes through Castleconnell (Limerick) Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan, Roscrea (Tipperary) and Ballybrophy (Laois).
Read MoreIf the Government wants to get people out of cars and on to trains, a significant improvement in rail services is required.
Speaking to RTÉ Drivetime, I called for greater balance in our aviation policy and for the Government to intervene to bring that about.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has called on the Minister for Agriculture to allow temporary adjustments to the conditions of the GLAS scheme which would enable farmers with low-input permanent pasture and traditional hay meadows to cut more hay and silage.
Read MorePlans to help people to buy derelict properties to renovate and live in are welcome, but if not launched soon will be overtaken by an increase in construction costs.
I asked the Agriculture Minister what he is doing to tackle rising input costs in agriculture, especially fertiliser, which will inevitably result in food inflation next spring.
I spoke in the Dáil this evening about the need to manage changing work practices brought about by the pandemic to ensure the adequate delivery of public services.
I welcoI welcome the appointment of Conal Henry as the new Chair of Shannon Group, and I particularly welcome his ambition for Shannon Airport to be promoted as a travel option for everyone outside of the M50 and south of the N5.
8,208 apprentices, including 5,720 undertaking electrical, plumbing, carpentry and stone/brick laying apprenticeships, are currently awaiting off-the-job-training. This backlog needs to be cleared for their sake and ours.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has called on the Government to publish the terms of reference for an expert team that is being deployed by the HSE to review the issues surrounding chronic overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
A proposed second NCT centre for County Clare that was due open in Shannon will now not be developed.
Read MoreI raised the issue of ongoing overcrowding at University of Limerick with Taoiseach Micheál Martin today.
In the Dáil today, I called for ‘temporary extraordinary measures’ to tackle a backlog in apprenticeships across the country. The Taoiseach said he would be open to seeing ‘what more we can do to accelerate without diluting the quality’.
Without announcing a sustainable transport alternative, the Government’s decision to abandon the second phase of the Limerick Northern Distributor Road is short-sighted.
Restrictions on burning turf, coal and briquettes will only work if people have an affordable alternative, but the Government is not providing such an alternative.
I spoke to Newstalk this evening about University Hospital Limerick, the most consistently overcrowded hospital in the country, and the need to develop a strategy to deliver an acceptable level of health services in the Midwest now and in the immediate future.
The Government’s decision not to proceed with the second phase of the Northern Distributor Road lacks strategic vision. The Clare side of the University of Limerick campus needs to be developed for the benefit of the university, Clare, Limerick and the wider region, and sustainable travel links should be central to that development. The Government has sadly neglected these imperatives.
I voted against the Government last night. Like most TDs, I believe that we need to move towards a more environmentally sustainable way of heating our homes. But until those alternatives are put in place, we cannot penalise sections of our population who rely on turf to heat their homes.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has urged the Irish government to make a fresh appeal to Brussels for approval to reduce VAT on home heating oil during the war in Ukraine, which is driving price increases.
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Great energy at the Falls Hotel & Spa in Ennistymon last night where 58 Burren Ecotourism members were honoured for fulfilling their commitments under the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark Code of Practice for Sustainable Tourism. A brilliant project which shows the way forward for sustainable tourism not just in Clare, but also across Ireland.
Read MoreDifficulties obtaining insurance pose a threat to the world-renowned Spancilhill Horse Fair in County Clare, according to Independent Deputy Michael McNamara.
Read MoreThe creation of a new professorship especially for Dr. Holohan is not a secondment within the public service when he is leaving the public sector for Trinity, a private, well-endowed institution. This abuse of taxpayers’ money needs to be reconsidered.
Imagine a budget that didn’t detail where spending was to be reduced or taxation increased. It wouldn’t constitute a budget. Similarly, a “Carbon Budget” that doesn’t set out which sectors will be impacted and by how much cannot be called a “budget.”
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a €9.95m capital budget allocation has been approved for a theatre upgrade at Ennis Hospital and that the project has already progressed to design stage.
Read MoreIrish Water’s confirmation that the wastewater treatment plant in Kilmihil is to be upgraded will have significant environmental, social and economic benefits for the village, according to Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara.
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Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a number of additional Clinical and Diagnostic Chronic Disease posts are being recruited for the Midwest region through the University Hospital Limerick Group.
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Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a new Chronic Disease Management Hub delivering services to patients with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and Type II Diabetes is being rolled out in County Clare.
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Congestion during peak traffic periods on the Tulla Road and Gort Road areas of Ennis could be significantly eased with the completion of the Ennis North Inner Relief Road, according to Independent Clare T.D Michael McNamara.
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Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara says he has received confirmation from the HSE that the new ward extension at Raheen Community Hospital in East Clare will be fully operational by the end of June.
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Scariff Town Team, in partnership with Scariff Community Council, has commissioned a design team led by Helena McElmeel Architects to prepare proposals for the enhancement of the Market Square, known locally as the Green.
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Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara, while welcoming Ryanair’s confirmation that the new service would go ahead in early May, said the cancellation of flights was unfair on passengers who were due to travel in less than two weeks’ time in some instances.
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Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has called for Government intervention to prevent the loss of hundreds of jobs amongst subcontractors and suppliers, in addition to those directly employed by Roadbridge, in the event that the company is liquidated.
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No new acute, sub-acute or ICU beds will be opened in the Midwest in 2022, according to HSE figures released to Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara.
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Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has urged Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to consider the establishment of a reception centre for refugees at Shannon Airport.
Read MoreIndependent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has urged government to temporarily remove VAT on fuel as prices continue to soar across the country.
Speaking tonight (Wednesday) in Dáil Éireann in favour of the Government’s Financial Motion to reduce excise duty on petrol, diesel and green diesel, Deputy McNamara urged Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to follow in the footsteps of Poland by reducing VAT.
The Clare T.D. said rising costs are fast becoming unsustainable for people, especially rural dwellers.
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says a decision regarding the inclusion of the Cultural Landscape of the Burren Uplands and Holy Island (Inis Cealtra) on a new Tentative List of potential World Heritage Properties for Ireland has been pushed back until June.
Read MoreThe Government has accepted a Private Members Motion seeking a reversal of the decision to downgrade National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State.
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue has said he will be participating in a special meeting of EU agriculture ministers tomorrow (Wednesday) in relation to the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on agriculture and food prices.
Minister McConalogue was responding to Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara who has expressed concern at the impact of rising fertiliser costs on food production and prices in Ireland.
Deputy McNamara claims urgent government intervention is required and has suggested the potential bulk purchase of fertilisers, the subvention of fertilisers, or the introduction of price caps.
Speaking during Questions on Promised Legislation in Dáil Éireann today, Deputy McNamara said, “Irish farmers face a dilemma. Do they borrow money to pay the cost of fertiliser which has more than doubled and hope to pass that on to consumers at the end of the year? Or do they produce less food which will also result in a rise in consumer food prices at the end of the year?”
“I have no doubt that Ireland will produce more than enough food to feed itself, but I am less confident about Europe, particularly given the lack of supply that will be there from Ukraine which is the breadbasket of Europe,” he added. “To ward off a horrible scenario where Irish consumers cannot afford the cost of food in Ireland like other European consumers, will the Government intervene by bulk buying fertilisers, subventing it or putting price caps in place? Because we need to intervene now.”
In response, Minister McConalogue commented, “You raise a very fair issue and a fair concern, and something that my department are monitoring very closely. Also, we are having a special meeting of EU agriculture ministers this Wednesday and it’s something we will be discussing as part of that, as well in the context of the challenges that the unacceptable invasion of Ukraine is resulting in and what that means in terms of both gas, energy, fertiliser and potentially, grain prices.”
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has told the Dáil today (Thursday, 24 February 2022) that urgent Government intervention is required to mitigate huge food price increases in the coming months.
Government needs to intervene now to mitigate huge food price increases in the coming months.
Tánaiste Leo Varadkar today has informed Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara that Moneypoint and Tarbert power stations may continue to operate “for many years to come” due to concerns over Ireland’s energy security.
The Government says the temporary Covid downgrading of all National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State has now been made permanent. A walk-in service is no longer available and a public services card is now needed to avail of the online service.
HIQA is to undertake inspections of the ED at University Hospital Limerick and work with hospital management to develop a strategic plan to address capacity issues. It’s important the plan has a wider scope than the approach taken up to now.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation that HIQA is to undertake inspections of the Emergency Department at University Hospital Limerick (UHL) and work with hospital management to develop a strategic plan to address capacity issues at the Mid-West facility.
Read MoreIndependent Clare TD Michael McNamara has expressed his support a plan announced to reduce treatment waiting times for children with scoliosis and spina bifida which he described as “long-overdue”.
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Junior Transport Minister Hildegarde Naughten has confirmed that the temporary Covid downgrading of all National Driving Licence Service (NDLS) offices across the State has now been made permanent.
Read MoreEamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, has said the Government is committed to getting the proposed takeover by Clare County Council of Clare-based Shannon Heritage tourism assets “over the line”.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has urged Clare County Council and the University of Limerick (UL) to engage fully and constructively with Limerick City and County Council and other regional interests in their bid to have the university campus in County Clare and its hinterland designated as an Economic Strategic Development Zone (SDZ).
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Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara says the announcement of funding totalling €11.8m towards the proposed Killaloe Bypass, Shannon Bridge Crossing and R494 Improvement Scheme brings the long sought-after infrastructure project closer to being realised.
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Following calls from Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara last week, Environment Minister Eamon Ryan has introduced a further one-year extension to the derogation allowing for the burning of green waste.
Read MoreClare Independent TD Michael McNamara says the Government can do more to ease high timber prices and the consequent impact on construction costs by speeding up efforts to reduce the backlog of forestry license applications across the country.
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Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has welcomed a funding boost for communities across East Clare.
Read MoreThis is not a plan to tackle inflation. It’s compensation for inflation in April, but the cost of living will continue to rise before and after then. We urgently need targeted measures by Government to tackle rising energy & housing costs, the main drivers of inflation in Ireland.
I spoke to Live 95FM about ongoing overcrowding at UHL, which is consistently the most overcrowded hospital in the State.
The huge imbalance between primary producers and processors in Irish agriculture will only be addressed by a fundamental change in direction and focus by the Department of Agriculture.
Clare TD Michael McNamara has called on the HSE and government to publish the findings of a review by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) into the ongoing trolley crisis at University Hospital Limerick (UHL).
In Dáil Éireann today, Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara questioned the Taoiseach Micheál Martin on the proposed takeover by Clare County Council of Clare-based Shannon Heritage tourism assets.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has expressed his hope that works will begin shortly on the upgrading of a section of the popular riverbank walk in Shannon town, which has become impassable in recent years.
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Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has called for wider supports for domestic abuse support organisations in light of 2020 figures released to him and figures for 2021 highlighting an increase in the number of reports of domestic abuse in Ireland over the last 12 months.
Read MoreIndependent Clare TD Michael McNamara has criticised the Government’s policy of closing power stations during an energy crisis in the hope that they will eventually be replaced with green energy sources at an unspecified time in the future.
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Congratulations to St Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla on winning their first Harty Cup title by beating five times champions Ardscoil Rís in the TUS Gaelic Grounds this afternoon.
Match highlights – https://twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1gqxvlBVLLQGB
Closing down our power stations in the midst of an energy crisis in the hope that we will replace them with green energy sources at some indeterminate time in the future ill-serves this State.