In the upcoming European elections, independent representative Michael McNamara has confirmed his intent to participate, representing the Ireland South region. The trained barrister and Clare TD, who also runs his own drystock farm, will be submitting his nomination papers on the upcoming Monday – one day before the nomination deadline for the European elections.
The current roster for the Ireland South constituency reads as three confirmed candidates: Derek Blighe, representing Ireland First from Mitchelstown; Ross Lahive, running for The Irish People from Cork City; and Kenmare’s Una McGurk, running with no political affiliation.
Among other expected runners in the coming election are numerous candidates including Aontú’s Patrick Murphy, Fianna Fáil’s Billy Kelleher and Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, The Green Party’s Grace O’Sullivan, and candidates from Sinn Féin, Labour, PBP-Solidarity, An Rabharta Glas, and the Social Democrats.
Despite falling short in the 2009 European election for the Ireland West constituency, Michael McNamara possesses immense international work experience with organisations like the UN and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, as a legal and electoral expert. He also has familial ties to Irish politics, being the husband of the granddaughter of ex-President Patrick Hillery.
The decision to run in the upcoming European election was spurred by the increasing influence of European decision-making. McNamara specifically highlighted Ireland’s changing stance on immigration in the Lisbon referendum, noting the closure of previously opted-out areas in Justice and Home Affairs.
The South Constituency encompasses regions like Carlow, Clare, Cork, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick, Offaly, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford, and Wicklow.
The Clare MP stated that this is another instance of decision-making occurring at the European Union level and called for accountability. He pointed out that Ireland is currently dealing with a large backlog of stay permissions and is failing to establish an adequate immigration system. This system, he suggested, must be equitable, swift, efficient, and compassionate.
Mr McNamara, a former Labour party member, clarified that he hadn’t grown disillusioned with the Dáil, but rather appreciated the absence of a whip system in the European Parliament, where members were allowed to debate on matters based purely on their merit. He used the Hate Speech Bill as an example to illustration his viewpoint. In his opinion, the legislative process is currently compromised due to the overuse of the whip, evidenced by the unanimous vote for the bill followed by criticisms of its inadequacy.