Results 201-220 of 6,944 for speaker:Michael McNamara

Topical Issue Debate: Household Charge (6 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: Notwithstanding that only 16,500 households have not paid the charge, 33,000 letters issued last week at a cost to Clare County Council of €15,000, including letters to many who had paid and letters to people who are deceased and long deceased in many instances. People are rightly aggrieved at the manner in which the charge is being administered.

Topical Issue Debate: Household Charge (6 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I do not disagree with anything the Minister has said but it is more than an irritation to receive those letters: for some it is a source of worry. My parents received such a letter and were very worried that they had a tax liability. I know several people who are upset because they received letters in respect of people who had died. There is a register of births, marriages and deaths in...

Credit Union Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I am glad to have an opportunity to contribute on this very important matter which affects rural and urban communities throughout the country. Earlier today I read parts of the judgment in the N. & anor. v. Health Service Executive & ors. case in light of the upcoming referendum. I was struck by the reference to the Book of Kings and the exercise of wisdom required by decision...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I disagree with Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív and commend the Minister for his approach. We tabled amendments to allow them to be considered by the Minister and his Department and I am glad that he has come back following detailed consideration to tell us where he stands-----

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: All I was seeking to do was to thank the Minister for his inclusive approach and having considered the amendments before he came to the House, which is not always the case with Ministers. I agree with the Minister that not every authorised officer carrying out inspections should be a veterinarian. That would be a huge waste of money. The great majority of farmyard visits could be carried...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I welcome the Minister's statement that in the great majority of cases the advice of a vet will be sought. I also acknowledge that sometimes it simply will not be possible to get the advice of a vet. However, in rural areas in these times it is easier to get a vet out than a doctor. In the middle of the night or at weekends, when one calls a vet, in my experience, he or she attends. When...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I am not claiming the Minister is.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I am asking the Minister, in the interests of animal rights and farmers' rights, to take legal advice on the matter and to consider introducing an amendment at a later stage providing that an authorised officer will at least have to seek veterinary advice. There will be instances in which it is not possible to get advice but, as the Minister pointed out, these are rare. In the great...

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: One can still get a vet on site at that time faster than a GP.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: In view of the Minister's undertaking to consider a requirement to seek legal advice I will not press amendments Nos. 42 and 43. As I must step out of the committee for a couple of minutes, and for the ease of the committee, I wish to notify that I withdraw amendment No. 2. I also withdraw my amendment No. 34 in view of the Minister's comments.

Select Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012: Committee Stage (8 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I will not be here.

Written Answers — Department of Social Protection: Invalidity Pension Eligibility (13 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the reasons a person (details supplied) has had their invalidity pension terminated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50017/12]

Written Answers — Department of Environment, Community and Local Government: Unfinished Housing Developments (13 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the action he is taking to help with the problems of persons living in an estate (details supplied) in County Clare that went into liquidation in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49950/12]

Order of Business (15 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I am sure the financial difficulties being experienced by pubs throughout the country will be foremost in the minds of the Tánaiste and his colleagues as they frame the budget. On promised legislation, when will minimum pricing orders in respect of alcohol be introduced by the new Minister of State at the Department of Health?

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I very much share the concerns of my colleague. We may have fewer all-Ireland titles in Clare than in Kilkenny but we make many more hurleys. I do not know what that says about our hurling style or efficiency.

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I hope we will continue to use them in matches with Kilkenny. As so many hurleys are made in Clare, it is an important source of revenue and employment. Deputy Phelan mentioned that there is a Seed Savers in Scarriff, my own parish. As Deputy Phelan brought it up I do not feel embarrassed about mentioning it. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, visited it with me and I very much...

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: It is clear from the figures cited by the Minister of State that more than one quarter of the hurleys manufactured here are made in County Clare. This issue is, therefore, a source of considerable concern for hurley makers.

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: We are certainly not sending many to County Mayo.

Topical Issue Debate: Agricultural Diseases (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: I played hurling reasonably well and would have a game with the Deputy if he wishes. While the country should be self-sufficient in ash by 2020, hurley makers will have to import ash in the meantime. I understand from the regulations introduced by the Minister on 7 November that any imported ash will have to be squared so as to remove entirely the rounded surface or be free of bark and...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Pupil-Teacher Ratio (20 Nov 2012)

Michael McNamara: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if fee-paying, non-resident, and non-national primary and secondary boarding school pupils from outside of the EU are included in calculating pupil teacher ratios for the purpose of allocating teachers paid by his Department. [50883/12]