Mike Kennelly
Labour Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I express my deep concern at the devastating wildfire that affected Killarney National Park yesterday evening. It is one of the most treasured national landscapes in the country.”
“However, as that excitement builds ahead of the biggest day in the GAA's calendar, there is again a growing concern among Kerry and Mayo supporters and others about how they will get to Croke Park.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. My ask is for the Minister for Transport to liaise with Irish Rail and Bus Éireann to ensure that adequate transport is provided for all football supporters from Kerry and Mayo for the upcoming All-Ireland final. I congratulate Kerry and Mayo on reaching this year's All-Ireland football final.”
“This is not just a Kerry issue or a Mayo issue; it is a national issue. We heard yesterday on the Order of Business that even Louth and Wicklow supporters had difficulties getting to Croke Park last Saturday. The All-Ireland final is one of the largest sporting events in the country, bringing tens of thousands of supporters together.”
“The use of barbecues, open flames or any activity that creates a fire risk in such conditions is simply unacceptable. What may seem like a harmless act can, in a matter of minutes, destroy habitats that have taken generations to develop and places lives in danger.”
“Yesterday was just a reminder of the of the serious consequences that can arise when risks are taken with fire. The land and trees are so dry at the moment that a spark could destroy every amenity we have.”
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“The transport network is already in place and by using an existing site, we would eliminate the need for families to seek placement in alternative, unfamiliar and distant locations. There would also be long-term cost savings. A structured transition service would result in significant savings for the HSE and the State. Currently, a substantial amount of time and resources are spent trying to find or create places for school leavers in existing services, many of which are at full capacity. Without proper transition planning, many young adults experience regression and require additional medical and psychological intervention, thereby placing more strain on the HSE. By establishing services within an existing campus, we would eliminate the need for costly adaptations to other facilities.”
“The grounds already accommodate individuals with similar needs, making it an ideal location for such an initiative. Taking this approach would also reduce stress for the families of the children concerned by providing a guaranteed pathway from school to adult care, thereby eliminating the need to find appropriate replacement care. Parents would have peace of mind knowing that their children would remain in a supportive and familiar environment. The preservation of the peer community would provide reassurance for families that their children remain engaged and supported. It would also make effective use of existing resources. St. Mary of the Angels is centrally located within the region, making it very accessible.”
“As the students transition into adulthood, they face a significant gap in service provision and the disruption of their peer network can lead to distress and regression. There is an urgent need for an adult day service and a respite service to be established on the grounds of St. Mary of the Angels. By implementing this initiative, we can ensure continuity of care. St. Mary of the Angels would provide a familiar setting, reducing stress and enhancing the well-being of young adults. The community of peers built at St. Francis school would be maintained, fostering continued social interaction and emotional support. School staff are highly trained to meet the specific needs of all pupils and would be available to support adult day services.”
“The programme for Government commits to advancing the rights and improving the lives of people with disabilities and to prioritising the publication and funding of a new national disability strategy setting out its vision to 2030. I wish to raise the serious issue of the lack of respite services in Kerry and to propose what can be described as a business plan for St. Francis Special School in Beaufort, County Kerry. It is committed to providing care and education to pupils with moderate and severe to profound intellectual disabilities. A key strength of the school is the strong peer community that has been fostered over the years. Pupils develop deep friendships and find a sense of belonging within the school community, which is a critical part of their overall development.”
“As is outlined in the programme for Government, this can be achieved through the provision of school-based therapeutic services which link in from the initial early intervention settings to services that follow the individual child, ensuring the correct school placement. These therapeutic services would work in line with the new Sláintecare regional model of oversight, with the provision of psychiatry, psychology, physiotheraphy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services. This support should follow the child from national school into secondary school and beyond. Class sizes must allow an integrated and inclusive approach, giving each child the opportunity to thrive socially and emotionally. This is an investment in our children and in our future.”
“This would decrease the need for so many special class placements, which pose long-term problems for future integration back into society and, as mentioned, respite care. The practical benefits of an early-intervention approach will reduce the economic burden on society because it will result in a reduction in the need for respite services and will promote independence in young people, enabling them to contribute to the society in which they live. It will result in a reduction in the waiting lists for mental health and addiction services as well as in the numbers entering the criminal justice system or becoming homeless, thanks to the provision of early support systems.”
“This will be best achieved through a proactive rather than reactive approach. A strategic, planned approach is needed, starting at the first stage of identification of needs by the public health nurse in the first year or two of life, followed through with a specialised early intervention programme with specialist trained teachers and multi-agency teams for three years, instead of two, to allow sufficient time for the interventions to benefit the child. Focusing on an intensive, evidence-based and standardised early intervention approach would increase the chances of children being prepared for and able to attend mainstream settings in their own communities, where they have the opportunity to learn alongside their peers who do not have additional needs.”
“She believes that this is reflected nationally and internationally. Alongside this, she has been working in mental health services and has seen a rapid increase in the caseload of providers of these services, particularly post pandemic. Working in both of these fields has demonstrated to her the significance of the early years experience and its impact later on. As a result, she seeks a strategic, early intervention approach in education and service provision. This would mean a crossover or combined approach in health and education services. As outlined in the programme for Government, a cross-departmental examination of where disability spending delivers the best results should inform future funding. This will ensure that all children, regardless of the challenges they face, can realise their full potential and contribute to society.”
“We must co-develop initiatives for people with autism to address service gaps at different stages of the life cycle. We must also expand the network of autism one-stop shops and create pathways for assessment and intervention for adults with autism. The Government must continue to support initiatives that foster the inclusion of the neurodiverse community and increase the sensory initiative grant so that communities can develop sensory gardens, hubs and spaces. This was spoken about in depth at the meeting I attended. During my Seanad election campaign to represent the most vulnerable, I spoke with Fine Gael Councillor Anne-Marie Ford, who has been in the teaching profession for 28 years. In the past ten years, like so many teachers and school leaders, she has witnessed an enormous increase in pupils with additional needs in school.”
“What was also frustrating on the path from diagnosis was the lack of consideration of the family's needs and the lack of information. There was no communication with parents or guardians. People with autism face many challenges but supports are available through the AsIAm charity, which promotes the needs of those with autism and provides support to help others to understand autism. Back in the dark days, autism was seen as a mental health issue but it is not, and it is not pathological either. April is autism awareness month and, as the programme for Government makes clear, there is a lot of work to be done. It is essential that we implement the autism innovation strategy and ensure the development of a successor strategy. We must legislate to place an autism strategy on a statutory footing.”
“The objective of the meeting was to provide valuable resources and expert insights on supporting children with additional needs. This event was co-ordinated by professionals, parents and caregivers to share knowledge, connect and build a stronger and more inclusive community. The stress and anxiety experienced and expressed by all caregivers present was remarkable. They outlined the steps involved, from the first stages of referral either by their medical doctor or through self-referral to their primary care centre, to reach the children's disability network team, CDNT, which assesses children for complex and non-complex needs. The biggest cause of anxiety was the length of time spent on public waiting lists.”
“I welcome the Minister of State to the House and congratulate her on her appointment to what is one of the most serious portfolios in government. I am substituting for Senator Bradley, who is a leading advocate for people with disabilities. I wish her all the best. Last week, I attended an information evening entitled Breaking Barriers, which was hosted by Ballybunion Community and Family Centre in north Kerry and chaired by Ms Laura Bennett. I would also like to acknowledge the work of Jacqui Harteveld at the Listowel Family Resource Centre, who also worked on this initiative, which aimed to inform and enlighten people, at a time of anxiety when their child has been diagnosed with a disability, about the pathways available to them.”
“He became the Kerry senior football manager in 1975 and went on to have an enormously successful career in that role, leading a team of legends to eight all-Ireland titles from 1975 to 1986, a period fondly remembered as Kerry's golden years. It was the greatest football team ever. Micko subsequently spread his love of football with great success in Kildare, Laois, Wicklow and Clare. Micko was not just a manager; he was also a leader, motivator and man who breathed football. His passion, knowledge and ability to inspire were unmatched. His impact on Gaelic football was immeasurable and his legacy will live on forever in the hearts of all GAA fans in Kerry and, indeed, beyond. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and the wider GAA family at this sad time. Rest in peace, Micko. Your extraordinary legacy will forever be remembered.”
“Last Thursday morning, on 2 April, it was with great sadness that we learned of the passing of a former Kerry Gaelic footballer and iconic Gaelic football manager, the great Mick O'Dwyer. Micko was king of the Kingdom and sprinkled some of his gold dust, wisdom and love of Gaelic football on other counties and places beyond with great success, leading his teams with unmatched passion and inspiring countless Gaelic football supporters and teammates alike. As a top-class footballer, the Waterville and south Kerry star won four all-Ireland medals with his beloved Kerry and was named footballer of the year in 1969. However, the king was not finished.”
“I am calling on the Minister to debate on the floor of the Seanad this very serious issue which could get out of control.”
“As stated, counties Kerry and Cork have 1,018 people waiting. Counties Limerick, Clare, Galway and Mayo have a combined waiting list approaching 1,000 people. The biggest increase in the number of older people in need of home care - 30% - has been in counties Cavan, Donegal, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Sligo and Westmeath, where the HSE has rationed its home support hours. Waiting lists in Dublin were below ten people in each month of 2024, which shows the urban-rural divide in the provision of home care hours. That is astonishing. The programme for Government commits to supporting older people to stay at home and in their community by providing more homecare hours for rural Ireland. We are faced by family members every week on the lack of homecare hours for their loved ones.”
“I raise a very serious health issue, namely, the lack of proper provision of home care hours for our elderly people, particularly in rural Ireland, with counties Kerry and Cork having the longest waiting lists of elderly people seeking to avail of the home care package. The number of older people in the country waiting on these hours stands at 5,556, of whom, astonishingly, 1,018 are in the Kerry and Cork areas. That is unreal. Alarming figures show that the number of over 65s has increased by 41% to 833,000 people since 2013. Even more astonishing is that the number of over 65s is projected to double by 2051. It is critical, therefore, that waiting lists are taken seriously. A recent report by Home and Community Care Ireland shows that waiting lists in rural Ireland are rising.”
“The solutions being proposed by me today tick all the boxes for the students, their carers, their peers, especially for their families, for the HSE, the healthcare system and indeed the State. I invite the Minister, Deputy Naughton, to discuss this on the floor.”
“Second, it would reduce the stress for their families, provide a guaranteed pathway from school to adult care, eliminate the need to find appropriate replacement care, while parents would have peace of mind knowing that their children would remain in the supportive and familiar environment. Third, it would make effective use of existing resources such as St. Mary of the Angels, which is centrally located in mid-Kerry, making it accessible where a transport network is already in place. Fourth is the long-term cost savings to the State in that a structured transition service would result in significant savings for the HSE and the State by establishing services within the existing campus, which would eliminate the need for costly adaptations to other facilities.”
“The disruption of their peer network can lead to distress and regression. There is an urgent need for an adult day service and a respite service to be established on the grounds of St. Mary of the Angels in Beaufort, County Kerry. By implementing this initiative we can ensure, first, continuity of care in that St. Mary of the Angels would provide a familiar setting, reducing stress and enhancing the well-being of our young adults, while the community of peers built at the Saint Francis Special School would be maintained, fostering continued social integration and emotional support.”
“I raise an issue on behalf of Councillor Teddy O'Sullivan and Jean O'Sullivan in Kenmare regarding the lack of respite services in Kerry for the most vulnerable in our society. In the programme for Government, the Government is committed to advancing the rights and improving the lives of people with disabilities. St. Francis Special School in Beaufort, County Kerry, is committed to providing care and education to pupils with moderate and severe to profound intellectual disabilities. A key strength of the school is the strong peer community that has been fostered over the years. Pupils develop deep friendships and find a sense of belonging within the local community. This is a critical part of their overall development. As the students transition into adulthood, they face a significant gap in service provision.”
“If the speed limit in the country is no greater than 120 km/h, why are we selling vehicles to kids, parents and everyone else that can go in excess of 220 km/h or 240 km/h? We saw an accident over the weekend where the car was supposedly going more than 100 km/h over the speed limit, which was totally wrong. I thank the Minister of State for his statement and I look forward to working with him.”
“I do not think there is any other council that does that to save kids going to school, save parents dropping their kids to school and save people picking them up. Finally, we are all looking for remedies to this issue. It has got to a certain point. My children are starting on the roads now. We do not want parents to get that phone call or that knock on the door at 3 a.m. Being distracted at 50 km/h or 80 km/h can be fatal. Being distracted at 120 km/h is definitely fatal. Why can we not install speed reducers in new vehicles? We are selling vehicles that can do up to 200 km/h or 220 km/h. Why? There is no need to have these on the market because you cannot do that speed anywhere in the country, unless you go to Mondello Park. I ask that the Government clue into this and see whether there is anything we can do.”
“The fine for a passenger being caught without a seat belt is $400 and the driver gets three penalty points. Therefore, a person will not be caught a second time. People will not break the law again. I ask the Minister of the State about the roll-out of safety officers. I was chairperson of the operations on the road operations SPC in Kerry County Council and was proud to introduce the role of safety officer within the county, but where the Department is concerned, what role does the safety officer play? Safe routes to school were referenced. In Kerry County Council, it is hoped we are preventative in many measures. We have a certain budget allocation from our roads programme that we can apply to speed limit reduction signs and flashing amber lights outside schools. We can personally do that through our council allocations in Kerry.”
“What was called Jake’s legacy came into force and his parents rolled it out, with all speed limits in estates changed to 30 km/h in 2017. That was very welcome and it has saved lives. I make no apology to anybody for the new road speed limit reductions. They have to be welcomed, rolled out and enforced. In 2022, there were 155 deaths but 181 deaths in 2023. That is too many. It comes down to driving behaviour. Many people are going away from the fact that we can introduce all sorts of measure, but driver behaviour is causing 99% of these accidents. I drove up on the M7 this morning. There was an average speed camera and no one was breaking the rules. The more surveillance we have out there, including via cameras, and the more penalties, the more people will slow down. I was in Australia last year.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. I welcome his statements and all the Government initiatives to allow everybody who goes out on our roads to get home safely. As every Senator has outlined, the issues are, in order: speeding; distracted driving; drunk driving and drug driving; poor road conditions; a lack of pedestrian infrastructure; and inadequate vehicle safety features, especially in older vehicles that lack safety features like air bags. These are followed by reckless driving, weather conditions and enforcement. Senator Noonan just brought it all home in terms of the fatalities that are brought to people’s doors. In 2014, I was a councillor and one thing I picked up on was the death of a six-year-old boy in Kilkenny, Jake Brennan.”
“I formally invite him as a Cork man down to the kingdom. He can come from the west or whatever side he comes from. I invite him when he returns with a start date for these works for everybody's safety. We have a wonderful bypass and a road in the worst condition entering the town. It does not add up.”
“I thank the Minister of State. It is unfortunate to hear the statement on the works. My community, which I represent on a national front, has been enduring this road for a long time. It is disappointing to hear that TII and Kerry County Council have not been in a position to prioritise the scheme for the N69 from Bolton's Cross to Tim Kennelly roundabout. It is an embarrassment at this stage. I do not know how to take back the information that there is no start date or finish date for the works that I proposed for everyone's safety. Road safety, as illustrated in the Minister of State's response, is our priority and his concern. I look forward to working with the Minister of State. This section of road has to commence and be prioritised by him and the Department for completion as soon as possible.”
“Will the Minister of State provide an update on when these road safety improvement works will commence? I look forward to his statement.”
“I asked if funding needed to carry out works at the location had been obtained from Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, and Kerry County Council told me a payment assets repair and renewal, PARR, report was being carried out as part of an application to seek further surfacing improvements between Bolton's Cross and the Tim Kennelly roundabout. That report was to be ready by the end of 2023. Specific details regarding the status of these improvements, including the exact nature and extent of the works, have not been made available. To say that this has been an embarrassment for the people of Listowel when we welcome visitors into our town is a complete understatement. It is a national road and should look like a national road. We are discussing a road that is only 1.7 km in length.”
“The state of disrepair of the road is causing damage to cars constantly and is negatively impacting businesses and residents located on the same stretch of road. It is not safe to travel the road because of the dangerous condition into which it has fallen over a long time. As a county councillor in County Kerry, I raised this issue in July 2023 as a notice of motion at a Listowel municipal district meeting. I described the response I received as a copy-and-paste answer. The motion related to safety improvements and road resurfacing from the Bolton's Cross junction on the Tarbert road to the Tim Kennelly roundabout in Listowel. I told those at the meeting that the location was the scene of a fatal accident. Further accidents have taken place since.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House. I express my best wishes to him in his new role. I look forward to working with him and to his statement in relation to my Commencement matter. I will discuss the complete deterioration and disrepair of the N69 national road from an area called Bolton's Cross, around Listowel, to the Tim Kennelly roundabout in Listowel. As a national road, the N69 into Listowel is a lifeline and the gateway into the town from Limerick and the west. To say this is a safety issue is an understatement. The road enters the town close to the Kingdom of Kerry greenways, which is also adjacent to the newly constructed Listowel bypass that has been a wonderful success. This issue impacts all road users, including drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.”
“Groups of young individuals wearing balaclavas and hoodies roamed the streets, setting off fireworks, leaving residents terrorised and under siege. In response to these events, gardaí conducted interviews and made five arrests relating to antisocial behaviour. CCTV can help provide real-time monitoring of public spaces, increasing feelings of public safety and providing valuable evidence for any investigations. I ask that the Minister for Justice address the House on this matter.”
“It is a new dawn for north Kerry. On another issue, we need to take a serious look at the provision of CCTV surveillance across the country. This has become increasingly important in addressing safety concerns following serious community incidents and events. CCTV systems act as a visible deterrent to potential criminals, individuals or groups considering illegal activities. When they know they will be monitored, CCTV discourages such behaviour and will prevent crimes including antisocial behaviour, theft, vandalism, assault and illegal dumping. On Hallowe'en night 2024, at Tarbert, a village I just mentioned that is next to Ballylongford in north Kerry, villagers experienced significant disturbances that deeply affected the local community.”
“I also welcome Deputy Cahill, Ms Tongour and Ms Dunne to the Upper House today. I will speak on a project down in Kerry that Deputy Cahill has supported. I welcome the recent granting of planning permission for the Shannon LNG 600 MW power plant on the Shannon Estuary at the 630-acre land bank at Tarbert-Ballylongford. This marks a milestone for the national energy sector and the local community. This development brings with it a range of socioeconomic benefits including the creation of hundreds of jobs during the construction and operational phases, providing long-term employment opportunities for local people who want to live, work and raise a family in north Kerry. It will also stimulate local businesses through increased demand for services and goods, fostering economic growth in the surrounding areas.”
“Funding will be probably an issue, but the damage caused by another event similar to Storm Bert would cost nearly as much a full flood relief scheme for the Listowel area. I invite the Minister of State to visit Listowel, Kenmare and Tralee to see the damage that has been caused by the storms.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The matter I tabled was to the effect that works commence and that the Minister of State make a statement. What the Minister of State said was encouraging but he did not indicate when the works will commence, which is what I need to take back to my community today. If the Minister of State can expedite the works and, hopefully, allay the fears that these people are living with every day, I would appreciate that. Listowel has been identified for the full flood relief scheme along with the Cathaoirleach's area, Kenmare, and Tralee. If the Minister of State can expedite works in these areas for the full relief scheme, that would be good.”
“I ask the Minister of State, on behalf of the people who cannot sleep at night, and I am not making this up, to take away and relieve the anxiety that their homes could be destroyed again in the blink of an eye. I look forward to the Minister of State's statement.”
“People are living in real fear that this can happen at any time. Indeed, three weeks after Storm Bert, the threat and anxiety levels were again high as there was a snow and yellow rainfall alert. Thankfully, Kerry County Council, on that morning, delivered to the Killocrim community, which was led by the locals and Michael Brosnan, a total of 1,000 sandbags to the areas highlighted by the locals. Local knowledge was the key here as to the areas of greatest concern of breaking their banks again. From that event, Kerry County Council commissioned a report on the flooding in conjunction with the Department, the OPW and with local community knowledge. To date the promised works have not commenced.”
“One of the biggest concerns post the flooding was the fact that this perfect storm, which it has been identified as, hit without warning. A warning should have informed residents down the river that the levels were the highest ever seen. The emergency response teams and the public need to be made aware, through an early warning system via community text messaging, of any such future events so that personal protective equipment, PPE, can be deployed in time. This will play a crucial role in ensuring that homes are protected. In regard to the PPE, it takes 15 minutes to deploy one of these at either a front or back door or a main gate. For a person living alone to put these in situ and prevent a home from being destroyed, it takes an hour to deploy four of them, so that warning has to come before the event for this to happen.”
“However, with our ever-increasing erratic weather patterns, flooding and wind damage are becoming all too common. The Killocrim and Listowel areas were hit by Storm Bert on 23 November, which caused severe flooding. The River Feale overflowed reaching record heights surpassing 4.2 m, the highest levels since records began in 1946. This unprecedented flood submerged large areas of Listowel, again destroying more than 70 homes and businesses and causing significant damage to the famous the Listowel Racecourse. I stated before that the emergency response went from saving homes to saving lives. This was weeks out from Christmas, families were left homeless and a full clean up began. Costs were applied for through humanitarian aid.”
“I thank the Minister of State and congratulate him and his predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Kieran O'Donnell, who was in that seat before him. I thank him for the work he has done with the OPW in the communities that I represent and that have been devastated by recent storms. This morning I ask the Minister of State to make a statement on the minor flood relief scheme for the Listowel and Killocrim areas. Over the past few years, Listowel has been a lightning rod for flood events. Following on from serious flood events in the Clieveragh area of Listowel, as the Minister of State will be aware, the OPW is currently finishing a minor flood relief scheme of up to €1.3 million to ensure previous damage to homes, lives and businesses is not repeated. I thank the Minister of State and the Government for these works.”
“I am sorry. Over recent times we have seen a rise also in burglaries. I am proposing that older people be reimbursed when they install home alarms, so they can live without any threat to their safety. I wish to formally propose that after all the storms, especially Storm Éowyn. We should seriously target our elderly and sick people living at home and ensure funding is immediately made available to install a generator and all associated works for our elderly in the next budget under the housing adaptation grants. The out-of-hours services provided by SouthDoc in the Listowel and north Kerry area is not there. I call on the Minister to appeal to the SouthDoc service to come back and reinstate their work hours.”
“I have seen first hand what the housing adaptation grants can do for people. It is a game-changer for people living alone to know they can stay in their house full-time. If the grants can be increased again in 2025, within budget restraints, it will mean that people can stay in their homes longer. The works I have seen first hand, as I was saying to Senator Nelson Murray-----”
“Increased funding and broader eligibility criteria are making it easier for people to access financial supports for necessary modifications. Unfortunately, however, the costs are out of reach now for most of the works that have been permitted and approved. For example, the cost of a level access shower five years ago was completely different from the cost right now. People cannot afford it. These grants are a crucial tool in allowing people to remain in their homes longer, which is a key factor in promoting independent living and improving quality of life for the elderly and those with disabilities. Offering these grants will encourage preventative care, helping individuals make necessary adjustments before health problems become severe. This proactive approach will reduce long-term healthcare costs.”
“Ireland was the first country to be designated age-friendly status in 2019 and we have continued this. Ireland will host the WHO global age-friendly conference in 2025. In the programme for Government, we are committed to advancing our social core models, which support older people to live full and independent lives with the correct wrap-around supports. How can Ireland meet future care needs? The programme for Government states that we will support older people to live at home and in their own communities. The best way to achieve this is to increase the housing adaptation grant, which has been mentioned several times in these contributions. In recent times, the grants have been improved. I thank the Government for doing that. It does not get too many claps.”
“I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate him on his appointment. I know from the last Ministry he held that the elderly are in good hands. Seanad Éireann acknowledges the contribution older people have made to Irish society. They have shaped the country's economic, cultural and social fabric. Our elderly have historically been active in their local communities, contributing through volunteerism, organising social events and participating in religious community organisations. In our society older people serve as a foundation of family life. They play key roles in raising children and providing stability, often as caretakers for their own grandchildren. They have built this country to where it is right now. Honouring our older generation is something deeply rooted in Irish culture.”
“I call on the Taoiseach to support our people on his trip to the White House to meet President Donald Trump and to urge that their contribution to US life be recognised and that they be granted access to the process of gaining citizenship.”
“The one big story that stands out at this time is that the caregiver for President Donald Trump's mother emigrated to the US. This highlights the complexities of emigration and underscores the challenges faced by many who emigrate to and are working in the US. Protecting undocumented Irish emigrants in America through the Irish diaspora can be approached by leveraging the collective influence, resources and networks of the diaspora. Given the figures, one could imagine that there are up to 100,000 who remain undocumented. The Irish diaspora, especially those who are now in the US, can leverage influence and advocate for reforms that would address the status of the undocumented Irish in America.”
“The Irish have travelled and settled in every corner of this world, and the Minister of State has nearly covered every corner already in his role. Right now, my biggest fear is for the undocumented Irish in America who are participating in and promoting our diasporic communities and who are living in fear of deportation. I was one of those people. The network and the wraparound services that these diasporic communities give to their own are paramount and have to be supported. While I was living and working in America, one of the biggest incidents I recall, which is always in my head, was a profoundly good hurler who was integrated into the communities in New York. Unfortunately, he hit on hard times and died homeless in the subway.”