Public Service Broadcasting
Although there’s strong support for it, there’s no agreement on what constitutes public service broadcasting, whether it’s provided by RTÉ, exclusively or at all, and the role of local radio stations.
RTÉ at Oireachtas Committee
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.
HIQA report into UHL overcrowding
The HIQA report into overcrowding at University Hospital Limerick points to completely inadequate capacity in the Midwest and a failure to manage existing capacity.
RTÉ Drivetime – Greater balance in our aviation policy
Speaking to RTÉ Drivetime, I called for greater balance in our aviation policy and for the Government to intervene to bring that about.
McNamara calls for more supports for domestic abuse support organisations
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 MoreMorning Ireland – Indoor hospitality
I spoke on Morning Ireland about the delay in publishing both the guidelines and regulations around indoor hospitality, and the difficulties this is creating for businesses and members of the public.
Indoor hospitality and NPHET
The latest proposals from NPHET to restrict indoor hospitality to the vaccinated only are practically unworkable, legally dubious, and contrary to a decision already made by a democratically elected government.
Read MoreRTÉ – Housing Crisis
No one measure will provide a magic bullet to the housing problem. We need to get people back living in the streets of our cities, towns and villages and local authorities building houses.
RTÉ – Irish agri-food sector
Increasing intensification has been the only option for Irish farmers for decades. It has suited some but not all. The Department of Agriculture needs to promote a broader range of options in food production.
RTÉ – We need a strategy to enable us to live with Covid
We need a strategy to enable us to live with Covid.
Interview on RTÉ Primetime – Tuesday, 16 March 2020.
Mainstream media coverage of Covid and impact on mental health
Some mainstream media coverage in Ireland is adding to the high levels of stress and anxiety amongst the population.
RTÉ – New Guidelines for Covid-19 Testing and Quarantine of Air Travellers
I 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).
RTÉ Primetime interview about impact of lockdown on retailers
I spoke on RTÉ Primetime about the impact of Level 5 restrictions on retailers.
RTÉ – Potential for further COVID restrictions
I spoke to Claire Byrne on RTÉ today about the potential introduction of further restrictions in Ireland.
RTÉ – Our economy cannot endure another sustained shutdown
Our economy cannot endure another sustained shutdown – RTÉ The Week In Politics
Final report of the COVID Committee – RTÉ interview
I spoke to RTÉ about the publication of the final report of the Special Committee on Covid-19 Response.
RTÉ – NPHET Level 5 proposal
peaking on Today with Claire Byrne (RTÉ Radio One) about the NPHET proposal to Government to introduce Level 5 restrictions.
Hospital Capacity, Golfgate & Leaving Cert Grade Errors
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.
Testing at meat processing plants
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.
Michael McNamara discussing Meat Plants on RTÉ
I spoke to Claire Byrne on RTÉ today about the latest revelations on how meat plants treat their workers, which will come as no surprise to farmers given the treatment they receive.
RTÉ Primetime discussion on another lockdown
Tonight on RTÉ Primetime, I pointed out that the numbers in hospital with COVID-19 are thankfully, nowhere near those that prompted the lockdown in March.
New COVID-19 Measures
I spoke to Sarah McInerney on RTÉ today about the newly introduced COVID-19 measures. I will be requesting Minister for Health and Acting Chief Medical Officer to appear before the COVID Committee next week to further explain the new measures.
Meat plants and ongoing COVID restrictions
I spoke to Brian Dobson on Morning Ireland about today’s COVID-19 Committee meetings in relation to the meat industry and ongoing impact of COVID-19 restrictions on communities across Ireland.
Shannon Airport and Aer Lingus (RTE)
On RTÉ This Week’s Programme, I called on Government to urgently outline its response to the news that Aer Lingus is considering compulsory redundancies as well as closing its base at Shannon Airport.
Aer Lingus at Shannon Airport
I spoke to Philip Boucher-Hayes on RTÉ Drivetime this evening about the news that Aer Lingus is considering compulsory redundancies and is reviewing its operations at Shannon Airport.
Michael McNamara on RTÉ Drivetime re: Nursing Homes Report
The Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, of which I am Chair, is calling for immediate action and reform of the nursing home sector, to protect the older population, in the event of a second wave of the virus, in an interim report published today. I spoke about the report on RTÉ Drivetime this evening.
Seasonal hospitality sector
This government like the previous government simply doesn’t understand how the economy works in rural Ireland and how the seasonal hospitality sector works.
International travel and tourism & hospitality sector
I spoke on RTÉ’s ‘Today with Sarah McInerney’ programme this morning about the implications of ongoing public health advice in relation to international travel, as well as the need for a significant stimulus plan for the tourism & hospitality sector.
Special Criminal Court
We need to have a meaningful discussion about the Special Criminal Court and the need for safeguards around the non-jury trial process, not just another rubber stamping by the Oireachtas. I discussed the issue with Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD and Sarah McInerney on RTÉ’s Today programme.
Michael McNamara on RTE The Week In Politics
On RTÉ’s ‘The Week In Politics’ programme, I called for Health Minister Simon Harris to consult with the Dáil on any future regulations introducing or maintaining COVID restrictions.
Government formation talks
I was speaking on Drivetime RTÉ this evening in relation to meetings with Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin over Government formation talks.