Michael Fitzmaurice (born 18 September 1969) is an Irish Independent Ireland politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Roscommon–Galway constituency since the 2016 general election, and from 2014 to 2016 for the Roscommon–South Leitrim constituency.[1][2]
Before becoming a politician, Fitzmaurice used to run an agricultural and turf contracting business.[3] He is the chair of the Turf Cutters and Contractors Association.
Political career
He was elected to Galway County Council for the Tuam local electoral area following the local elections held in May 2014.[4] He entered national politics after winning a by-election caused by the election of Luke 'Ming' Flanagan to the European Parliament. He was endorsed by Flanagan.
He was a founding member of the Independent Alliance, which was formed in 2015.[5] On 18 May 2016, Fitzmaurice, was the only Independent Alliance TD to vote against Enda Kenny as Taoiseach. He later announced that day he was leaving the group and would not join the government.[6]
In February 2024, he joined Independent Ireland, a party founded the previous year by Michael Collins.[7]
Policies
Fitzmaurice is in favour of cutting "turf" (peat). Turbary rights have been affected by the Habitats Directive, which has resulted in the protection of some raised bogs in Ireland since the 1990s.[8] As at the end of 2018 protection of some bogs as Special Areas of Conservation remains in force, but Fitzmaurice and other politicians have succeeded in removing protection from some bogs designated as Natural Heritage Areas under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.[9]
He supports water meters, although he thinks some usage should be free to consumers.
Fitzmaurice is a critic of environmental vegetarianism. Defending Irish livestock farmers, he criticised the former President Mary Robinson for advocating reduced meat and dairy consumption so that people have a lower carbon footprint.[10] Along with several other TDs, he later criticised Taoiseach Leo Varadkar for comments about trying to reduce his consumption of meat.[11]
References
- ^ "Michael Fitzmaurice". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
- ^ "Michael Fitzmaurice wins in Roscommon/South-Leitrim by-election". RTÉ News. 11 October 2014. Archived from the original on 13 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ "My Farming Week". Irish Farmers Journal. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- ^ "Michael Fitzmaurice". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 10 October 2014. Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- ^ "Feargal Quinn to announce he is to join Independent Alliance". The Irish Times. 29 June 2015. Archived from the original on 12 August 2015. Retrieved 19 September 2015.
- ^ Gallagher, Páraic (18 May 2016). "Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice quits Independent Alliance". Newstalk FM. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ Cunningham, Paul (12 February 2024). "Michael Fitzmaurice to join new Independent Ireland party". RTÉ News.
- ^ "'This is about heritage and tradition': Turf cutters say the new bogs strategy won't solve the problem". TheJournal.ie. 22 December 2017. Archived from the original on 7 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
- ^ Farragher, F (20 December 2018). "West's own coalition succeeds in de-designating". Connacht Tribune. Archived from the original on 21 December 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2018.
- ^ "Independent TD calls Mary Robinson's advice to stop eating meat 'bizarre and unhelpful'". TheJournal.ie. 29 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 November 2018. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
- ^ "Taoiseach's comments on meat could impact agri business, says Fitzmaurice". Irish Examiner. 15 January 2019. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 19 January 2019.