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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“I welcome the Minister of State. I congratulate him on his role. The diaspora issue is especially close to my heart. As I understand it, a diaspora is the dispersion or gathering of a particular group of people from their original homelands to various parts of the world, especially in the world we live in now. This is often down to historical, political, social or economic factors. These displaced communities maintain a connection with their ancestral roots while also adapting to their new environments. The experiences of diasporic communities can be marked by a blend of cultural preservation and adoption as they navigate identity, belonging and the challenges of integrating in foreign lands. At the same time, the diaspora plays an essential role in fostering global networks, which in today's society and global upheaval is paramount.”
“I ask the Leader to ask the Minister of State to come to the House to give a response and a commencement date for the works.”
“I call on the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, with responsibility for the OPW, to come to the House, not for the first time, to tell us when the minor flood relief scheme works in Listowel and Kilocrim will commence. People are living in fear. These storms can hit at anytime. When I was elected to the Seanad, I said I would do my utmost and my best to represent the people of my community, which was totally devastated by a recent flood event. There has been nothing, no information and no communication back from any Department to me. I call on the Minister of State to come to the House. This event devastated more than 100 homes and businesses. Listowel racecourse was completely destroyed. If that happened again, we would lose probably the best tourism asset we have with many people coming to the town once a year for the Listowel races.”
“Will the Minister come to the floor of the House to inform us when these works, which have been identified and, it is hoped, nearly paid for, will commence? I and the people in my area need to know and would welcome the Minister to the House.”
“The emergency response went from saving homes to saving lives and all this happened without warning. I am calling on the OPW to come to the floor of this House to provide a timeframe. A report was done by Kerry County Council, which has been commissioned, produced and presented to the OPW. As of now, however, nothing has been done. These works will come under a minor flood relief scheme and, indeed, it will relieve any serious concerns going forward for the people living in this area. When I say the fears are real, they really are. Three weeks after this incident, I was involved in getting Kerry County Council to install 1,000 sandbags along a section of the River Feale that breached its banks. The community did this and built their own dam to prevent more homes getting damaged because there was another yellow weather warning.”
“I rise to support and highlight the serious concerns of the people of the Listowel and Killacrim areas. Recently, on 23 November, what was classed as the perfect storm came to north Kerry and devastated over 70 homes and businesses. People visit Listowel during race week. Listowel Racecourse was overwhelmed by the flooding. People were left homeless a couple of weeks before Christmas. As regards the carnage that led from Storm Bert, there was a yellow warning that night. The weather warning for rain was not too significant but, unfortunately, there had been a snowfall three days before and the night before the temperatures had risen and a thaw had set in. What was classed as a tsunami came down the River Feale, destroyed over 70 homes and left the whole area in a bad way.”
“New Fortress Energy proposed an FSRU on its Shannon Estuary land bank between Tarbert and Ballylongford in north Kerry. The programme for Government commits to taking all necessary action to ensure and protect Ireland's energy security. Given NFE's unique site and its industry experience and global resources, can the Leader confirm that the Government will support all options, including New Fortress Energy's? I call on the Minister to come to the House and would welcome his views.”
“It took six months to repair the Baltic subsea gas pipeline; the Nord Stream remains broken. During these disastrous events, the Government security of supply review confirmed that if Ireland's single point of gas supply from the UK was lost, there was no backup and customers would not be served. In practice, this means that homes, hospitals, schools and businesses would lose power and heat for an extended duration. In fact, the ESRI estimates that the cost could amount to €1 billion per working day. A backup gas supply is urgently needed. The draft security of supply review confirmed that only a floating liquified natural gas terminal, commonly called an FSRU, floating storage regasification unit, completely protects Ireland.”
“I will highlight ongoing issues around the Shannon LNG project off the coast of Kerry on the Shannon Estuary. It offers several positive contributions to Ireland's energy security, economic development, job creation and community growth, especially in the north Kerry area, which I represent. The project would provide Ireland with a crucial diversified source of natural gas, reducing dependence on a single energy source and ensuring a more resilient energy supply as global energy markets fluctuate. The ability to import LNG will help stabilise Ireland's energy needs, especially during periods of supply disruptions or increased demand. We know that, on 26 September 2022, three of the four subsea gas lines in the Nord Stream system were intentionally destroyed. On 8 October 2023, the Baltic subsea gas pipeline was damaged by a ship's anchor.”
“I am proud to be a part of this institution and I look forward to working with each and every Senator to build a better future for our country.”
“I particularly thank my close family and my friends from my area. As I look around this Chamber, I am reminded of the weight of responsibility that we carry on our shoulders as Senators. We are the representatives of our counties, our provinces and our country. It is our duty to ensure that the voices of our constituents are heard loud and clear. The Seanad is often referred to as a house of review and for good reason. We now have the power to scrutinise legislation, to ask tough questions and to hold the Government accountable for its actions. It is a privilege that we must wield wisely and responsibly. As I begin my journey in the Seanad, I am committed to working tirelessly on behalf of my constituents. I will listen to their concerns, advocate for their interests and fight for the values that we hold dear as Irishmen and Irishwomen.”
“It is a very proud day for him personally and I will give him all of the help I can as a Member. I do not know if the Cathaoirleach picks it up from my voice but it is humbling for me to make my very first speech in the Seanad. It took the lady beside me a couple of years but it took me 55 years - I am giving away my age now - to get to this point. I welcome every Member. Their constituents, their councillors and everyone is behind them. How we present ourselves and behave ourselves in this House will be a reflection of how successful we are as a House. As I stand here today, I am honoured and humbled to have been elected to the Seanad. This moment is not just a personal achievement but a testament to the trust and faith that our Senators, our TDs, our county councillors and the people of Kerry have placed in me.”
“This my first time speaking in such a House. The Cathaoirleach quoted John B. Keane, the greatest playwright this country probably ever had. He said that being a Kerryman was, in his opinion, the greatest gift that God can bestow on any man. When one belongs to Kerry, one knows that one has a head start on the other fellow. Whether it is senior hurling, and I very much hope it is senior football we are playing right now, Kerry people very much have a chance of success. Indeed, the Cathaoirleach is not the only Kerry person. The esteemed person to his right, Bridget Doody, is also such a person. We have good numbers in the Seanad and I would very much like all of the other Members to realise that. I wish the Cathaoirleach well as well as his dad and all the family here today.”