Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara has received confirmation of a review the Offences Against the State Acts, which he described as “black mark on the Irish justice system in their current operation.”
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Independent Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has been informed by eir that the mobile coverage issues experienced in West Clare have been resolved.
Read MoreClare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says a new Chair of Shannon Group will be appointed imminently while Government also plans to review Shannon Heritage’s position with the Group.
Read MoreSome mainstream media coverage in Ireland is adding to the high levels of stress and anxiety amongst the population.
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara has received confirmation from Clare County Council that Church Street in Miltown Malbay will be included in this year’s Roadworks Programme, subject to the approval of Councillors.
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The widespread network outages being experienced by eir customers across Ireland today are being branded as “unacceptable” by Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara.
Read MoreThe Government must expand the use of rapid antigen tests, which can detect when people with COVID-19 are infectious as opposed to the detection of persons who are no longer infectious.
I am glad to note that over the past fortnight the Tánaiste has appraised himself of the considerable scientific research concerning the benefits of Vitamin D in the fight against Covid. Hopefully, this will lead to the government following the example of other European states in providing Vitamin D supplementation to vulnerable persons.
Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says the Government has commenced a process of engagement with Clare County Council over the potential extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme to affected homes in Clare.
Read MoreI spoke about the prohibitive cost of challenging administrative decisions by Government Departments in the courts which puts it beyond the reach of most homeowners and farmers in Ireland.
I requested the Minister for Finance to include adventure / outdoor activity tourism providers and events companies under the COVID Restrictions Support Scheme (CRSS). The Minister said he will review the matter.
Plans to extract water from the River Shannon and pipe it to Dublin are prompted by the capital’s leaking water infrastructure system and reluctance to fix it due to the disruption that’d be caused to commercial activity. With little commercial activity at present, it’s time to repair Dublin’s leaking water infrastructure.
I asked the Minister for Health how many people who have contracted Covid have been vaccinated and whether it is proposed to vaccinate such people in light of the suggestion that they may enjoy some protection arising from their previous infection.
Essential workers who recently contracted Covid but have since recovered and are no longer infectious are being unnecessarily prevented from travelling, as I explained to the Tánaiste today.
Testing at our airports while unrestricted access to Northern Ireland and across the border is maintained is like trying to keep the cold out of the house by closing all the windows but leaving the front door open.
I cannot say for sure that Irish telecoms providers have the worst customer service in the world. But, to paraphrase Brian Clough, they are in the top one.
In light of the UK Government offering free vitamin D supplements to 2.7 million vulnerable people across England, I asked the Tánaiste if a similar initiative could be considered in Ireland.
I questioned the Health Minister about prioritising the vaccination of persons in receipt of home care and their carers; the winter flu; and rapid antigen detection tests.
In the Dáil today, I outlined why I am opposed to the CETA and Mercosur agreements – their impact on Irish agriculture, food standards, the environment and investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms.
I raised the future of Shannon Group, Shannon Airport, tourism in the region and Shannon Heritage with the Taoiseach and will continue to press him and his Government to deliver.
Instead of some of the more idiotic #COVID19 restrictions, we should be empowering people to test themselves at home to reduce the transmission of COVID.
Instead of importing offshore energy from Denmark, we should be developing our own offshore energy sector utilising the existing transmission network from Moneypoint.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara is asking the Government to place ESB Moneypoint in County Clare at the centre of any future plans by Government to develop offshore energy in Ireland.
Read MoreHaving launched the Sage Advocacy ‘Choice Matters’ report this morning, I questioned the Taoiseach about the lack of support available to older people at home or in the community which is leading to people with little choice but to go into congregated settings.
Clare Independent T.D., Michael McNamara, has received confirmation from the UL Hospitals Group that a business case for a major expansion in the level of services provided at Ennis Hospital has been approved.
Read MoreA rapid antigen test that people can do at home themselves offers huge potential benefits as an addition, not an alternative, to other measures.
Good news for telecoms customers. Having pursued the matter for months, I welcome confirmation that additional powers to impose additional sanctions on service providers are on the way. The matter will go to Cabinet before Christmas with a view to passing legislation in February.
Data on mental health is inadequate. The HSE and Irish College of Psychiatrists need to explain why, given they receive taxpayers’ money to collect and collate it. Data on suicide is adequate because of the lack of a centralised coroners’ database, a shortcoming highlighted 20 years ago this month.
Banks are refusing mortgages to persons employed under Temporary COVID-19 Wage Subsidy Scheme. Up to now, the Government has insisted that these were sustainable jobs, temporarily affected, but now it seems this is no longer the Government’s position. Many of these jobs are in sectors shut down by the Government.
Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare, has received confirmation from the Minister for Education that updated guidance has been issued to schools in relation to ventilation practices in the classroom.
Read MoreI spoke on Drivetime RTE about new Guidelines for Covid-19 Testing and Quarantine of Air Travellers, published jointly by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The proposed practice of allowing only one visitor per week for those in nursing homes and hospitals needs to be reviewed, particularly given the possibility of screening to mitigate risk.
As we are being told to follow the science, the science should be clear. That requires more transparency and publication of data, evidence and assumptions upon which modelling is based.
I spoke in the Dáil debate on the final report of the Special Committee on COVID-19 Response.
I raised the extension of the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme to Clare and welcomed confirmation that the Department is in communication with Clare County Council regarding the requirements.
Today in the Dáil, I asked whether the Government would cancel the annual registration fee for nurses and midwives this year in recognition of their ongoing service.
I raised the implications of a no-Brexit deal for Irish agriculture and spoke about the wider ramifications for Ireland’s relationship with the EU.
Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has slammed the Government’s lack of strategic direction for Shannon Heritage.
Read MoreMichael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare, is warning of “a precipitous drop” in the prices of cattle and milk in a few weeks’ time if a Brexit trade deal is not done.
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Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has confirmed that the preliminary design of a Greenway linking Limerick City with Clonlara, O’Briensbridge, Killaloe and Scariff will go to tender next week.
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Works to replace the old watermain from Miltown Malbay to Mullagh have commenced, according to Michael McNamara, T.D.
Read MoreWe need to deal with the challenges posed by Covid-19 in a manner that protects our vulnerable without jeopardising their future and that of a whole generation.
The short-term funding for airports announced by Government is welcome but more needs to be done given the state’s long-term reliance on aviation.
I raised the issue of testing at airports and NPHET’s insistence that only PCR testing is acceptable. Airports in other EU countries are using rapid antigen testing.
Michael McNamara, Independent TD for Clare, has received confirmation from Clare County Council that it is proceeding to the design stage of the proposed Doolin Pier and Village Masterplan ahead of submitting a Planning Application.
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Clare T.D. Michael McNamara has expressed his disappointment at the “frustratingly slow” roll out of a high speed and future proofed broadband network across County Clare as part of the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led Intervention.
Read MoreThe great natural resource that is the Shannon fishery must be protected and enhanced as part of the remit of the proposed River Shannon Management Agency.
Ireland’s domestic economy is forecast to shrink by a massive 22% in 2020, by far the biggest contraction, according to the European Commission.
7 months after I first raised airport testing, it’s time to stop discussing options and start implementing solutions.
NPHET’s modelling upon which Government introduced this lockdown was clearly inaccurate. Due to the 3-week timelag for measures to take effect It’s clear people had modified their behaviour before the introduction of lockdown. Incidence was already falling. 55,000 needlessly out of work!
I spoke on RTÉ Primetime about the impact of Level 5 restrictions on retailers.
I explained to the Dáil today why I am opposing the Health (Amendment) Bill.
I spoke against the lockdown and the power to lockdown again and again until June at least.
TDs are being asked to approve another lockdown without data on self-harm and suicide during the last lockdown. That is not good enough and must not be repeated.
Closing marts and moving cattle sales online is counterproductive and ill-considered.
In four months nothing has changed. Now we’re told nothing will will change for another four months. Lockdowns must end.
A strategy of indefinitely going in and out of lockdown will not work.
I spoke to Claire Byrne on RTÉ today about the potential introduction of further restrictions in Ireland.
Our economy cannot endure another sustained shutdown – RTÉ The Week In Politics
Reacting to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork and Shannon for the winter, Independent TD Michael McNamara has said the Government needs to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and must also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin.
Read MoreI asked Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan to provide an update on the progress made by Government on the introduction of a testing protocol at Irish airports and about what type of test system would be used.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney today outlined to me why a Zero Covid Island approach is neither realistic nor feasible.
Expectant mothers require the support of their partners at key moments of their pregnancy. Humanity must be retained in maternity hospitals restrictions.
The latest household restrictions will be counterproductive if put into law as they will undermine contact tracing.
I questioned the Tanaiste about why a trolley in a hospital corridor is considered to be a “multi occupancy room” and costs €813 per night.
Read MoreIn response to the news that Ryanair is to close its bases in Cork Airport and Shannon Airport for the winter, I am requesting Government to introduce a system of rapid testing at airports in the short term and also develop a new State aviation policy to ensure international transit carriers do not fly exclusively into Dublin Airport.
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Clare Independent T.D. Michael McNamara says the €10m allocated to Cork and Shannon in Budget 2021 is “utterly inadequate” to compensate the airports for the Government’s decision to shut down the Irish aviation sector.
Read MoreReacting to Budget 2021 this evening, I spoke about mental health services, the childcare sector, family carers and broadband, amongst other issues.
Clare Independent TD Michael McNamara says works to replace the old watermain from Miltown Malbay to Mullagh are scheduled to commence in early November.
Read MoreMichael McNamara, T.D., has today received confirmation from Irish Water that a series of infrastructure upgrades will be delivered in Clare to end the discharge of raw sewage in Kilrush, Clarecastle, Liscannor, Ballyvaughan and Kilkee.
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Clare Independent TD, Michael McNamara has received confirmation from the HSE that a business case has been submitted for further expansion of the level of services provided at Ennis Hospital.
Read MoreI cannot say for sure that Irish telecoms providers have the worst customer service in the world. But, to borrow a line from Brian Clough, they are in the top one.
I was not shocked by the thousands of interactions I received on a tweet sent earlier last week about the treatment of customers by Eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications company.
I have experienced the frustration myself. If a week is a long time in politics, then attempting to switch from one telecoms service provider to another in this country can feel like a lifetime.
I spoke to RTÉ about the publication of the final report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.
I gave my reaction to the Government’s announcement of Level 3 restrictions to BBC Radio Ulster this evening.
peaking on Today with Claire Byrne (RTÉ Radio One) about the NPHET proposal to Government to introduce Level 5 restrictions.
I spoke on RTÉ Radio’s ‘Late Debate’ programme about the urgent need to address hospital capacity, the Leaving Certificate grade errors and the public reaction to Golfgate.
On Newstalk this evening speaking about the final session of the COVID-19 Committee.
As Ireland continues to combat COVID-19, we must not lose sight of the impact it is having on mental health.
I asked the HSE about the risk of false positives and false negatives in PCR testing. Dr. Colm Henry, Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE, said “One of the problems with this test is that it can pick up a residual RNA weeks after active infection and after a person is no longer infectious.”
Four months on from former Health Minister, Simon Harris, T.D., admitting that the Mid West has been failed for decades in terms of bed numbers, I sought an update from the HSE on hospital capacity in the region.
At today’s COVID-19 Committee meeting, I questioned Dr. John Cuddihy of the Health Protection Surveillance Centre about the current system of recording COVID cases and deaths in Ireland.
Concluding comments from today’s meeting of the Dáil COVID-19 Committee, featuring Prof. Sam McConkey, Dr. Johan Giesecke, Dr. Tomás Ryan and Prof. Kirsten Schaffer discussing strategic options for using the Government Plan to eliminate community transmission of COVID-19 in Ireland.
At today’s COVID Committee, I asked the GAA, IRFU and FAI about the economic and social impact of COVID-19 on their organisations and the wider community.
80 people on trolleys at University Hospital Limerick on a day when we learn that only 23 additional critical care beds have been delivered nationally since March and publication of the HSE Winter Plan is delayed for a further week. The State must step up, not just individual citizens.
I was happy to receive confirmation from the Minister for Agriculture that farmers would now receive monthly updates on their stocking density so as to be able to calculate their reductions required for BEAM (Beef Exceptional Aid Measure).
I raised Coillte’s treatment of the environment with the new Minister responsible for Forestry and I invited her to Sliabh Aughty to see for herself.
I fear that, while people are doing what is asked of them in responding to COVID-19, the State is not meeting its own targets.
I spoke on The Tonight Show last night about Shannon Airport and the Irish aviation sector.
I spoke on RTÉ’s Today with Claire Byrne about the news that Covid testing at meat processing plants has been suspended temporarily by the HSE so it can meet a “significant rise in demand” for testing in the community.
We must increase healthcare capacity instead of shutting down aviation, sporting and cultural events, pubs etc, to deal with the threat posed by COVID-19.
