Tag Archives: suspension

DÁIL Éireann has voted by 66 votes to 44 to suspend Clare Labour TD Michael McNamara after he was involved in a heated row with Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett this morning (Wednesday). He has been since suspended for three days. Deputy McNamara was stringently objecting to what he calls the “guillotining” of Dáil bills where they are rushed through without “meaningful debate.” The bill under discussion was the International Protection Bill. Deputy McNamara says that the bill only recognises what he calls “nuclear families,” so that when refugee families come to Ireland, only a husband, spouse or civil partner and their mutual children, will be recognised. Children from other relationships or dependent adults will not be recognised under the legislation that is very likely be passed in Dáil Éireann this afternoon. Deputy McNamara says that he is unlikely to lose the Labour Party whip, for the second time this year but says that he is not certain of this.

CLARE County Council has voted in favour of a motion calling for the suspension of water charges “until an honest debate on the role and future of Irish Water is held in Dáil Éireann”. They also supported a further motion on water charges that would see their introduction suspended “until a proper fair and equitable system” is put in place and Irish Water’s capacity to deliver water services to homes and businesses is reviewed. The council also backed a call for Government to reverse the imposition of water charges and instead use any resources available to repair leaking pipework and return the management of water and wastewater services to local authorities. They did, however, reject a motion from the Fine Gael group recognising the legal obligation for water charges arising from EU legislation and the bailout agreement, and calling on Irish Water to attend the full council to explain its structure, functions and charging system. Councillor Clare Colleran Molloy moved …