What are your thoughts on how the latest proposed amendments to the Irish Firearms Acts - as contained in the Criminal Justice (Misc.Provisions) Bill 2009 - contravene the EU directive on Firearms (91/477/EEC) by requiring all Irish firearms owners to only purchase ammunition or firearms from Irish registered firearms dealers instead of the current (and in force since 1964) laws that allow them to purchase from any registered firearms dealer in the EU so long as the appropriate paperwork is in place?
Reply from Michael McNamara
no reply so far
Social policy
28.05.2009
Question from Seán Ó
Do cheist á freagairt agam: For Declan Ganley human life from conception to natural death is to be held sacred. I got this information originally from an election leaflet that came to me in the post. I also checked with Mr. Ganley´s office in Galway.
Go raibh maith agat as do fhreagra féin a chur chugam. I wish I could say the same about the other candidates.
Le mórmheas,
Seán
29.05.2009
Reply from Michael McNamara
Dear Mr. O , I share the view that human life from conception to natural death is to be held sacred. It is a view shared by the vast majority of people in Ireland and throughout the European Union, I believe. However, I also acknowledge that this does not answer your original questions. I do not believe that the unborn are well served by a rush to moral judgement and a failure to provide support in our State. Let us not forget the fate of unmarried mothers and their children in this State, as evidenced by the Ryan report, and that the societal attitudes which contributed to this still exist today. Only 25 years ago in this State, I was measured up and fitted with a surplice and sutan by lay women in a convent, oblivious to who they were and how they came to be there. Only years later I realised it was a ´Magdalene Laundry´. I am just old enough to recall the name of Anne Lovett. I am also grateful to be able to view this complex moral theological issue from a body, free from debilitating hereditary disease, whose natural death is not imminent. Best regards, Michael
Agriculture
28.05.2009
Question from
Michael,
Considering that you are campaigning to represent this country in the EU, I would have expected a much more professional and knowledgable response from you.
Thankfully for us, other, more intelligent and experienced candidates were able to respond to us detailing current EU laws on the matter, as well as explaining why some EU countries are exempt from the foie gras ban.
Your response was appreciated though, even though you clearly had no clue as to what you were talking about, and I can now advise our members in your constituency on who not to vote for.
Best Regards,
28.05.2009
Reply from Michael McNamara
,
Two corrections:
Your question was posed to only two candidates in the the North West of whom I was the only one that replied.
I am not campaiging to represent this country but rather the constituents of the North West, the vast majority of whom are not interested in fois gras. I note that from the information that you supplied that you are from the Dublin constituency.
Best regards,
Michael
Civil rights, data protection and political participation
28.05.2009
Question from
Mr. McNamara,
As you are running as an independent, with which grouping in the European Parliament do you see yourself joining if you are elected?
Reply from Michael McNamara
no reply so far
Agriculture
27.05.2009
Question from
Dear Mr. McNamara,
I am writing you in relation to animal welfare.
Our organisation was wondering if you could tell us why foie gras is being produced using gavage in Europe, many years after the practice was banned in the EU?
We would like to know if you have any plans to address this problem, and if you would also consider lobbying for a ban on the importation of foie gras in Ireland.
Thank you for your time, I look forward to your response.
How could I possibly tell you why foie gras is being produced using gavage
in Europe, many years after the practice was banned in the EU? I do not know
a single foie gras producer.
I do know that Irish farmers adhere to the highest environmental and animal welfare standards.
