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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“Their young sons have been traumatised, sleeping with torches by their beds and racing up ladders to the attic, once warnings are sounded, to save their personal items from flood water. Their mental health is deteriorating, their parents are at breaking point and they have done everything right. They have paid their mortgage, engaged with the Minister of State's Department and the OPW and they have sought legal guidance, yet they remain trapped in a cycle of loss and hopelessness. This is not just a policy issue; it is a moral crisis. We have a duty of care to these children. The State has an obligation to not only provide safe housing but to ensure its own schemes are designed to support, not block, families in crisis. I therefore call for the urgent review of the terms of the OPW relocation scheme in this case.”
“Further, under the relocation scheme no funds are released until their home is demolished. The bank mortgage clause, however, requires the sale be finalised within three months of demolition, an almost impossible task given today's housing market. In effect, this places the family in an impossible situation. To secure another home, they must first render themselves homeless. In one heartbreaking example from December 2023, the Gabrielyans put down a deposit for a house and arranged to live there as caretakers while the deal was finalised. When the sellers learned there would be a delay in funds due to the nature of the OPW procedures, the vendors pulled out of the sale. This family has lived in fear for more than a decade.”
“The entire contents of the house were destroyed and the property - their home - is now uninhabitable with black mould, damp and structural decay. The family was approved for the OPW relocation scheme in November 2021, and after the most recent flood, their offer was increased. While this may appear notable, it has proven entirely inadequate in the current housing market. Over the past three years, the Gabrielyans have made numerous bids on houses, only to be repeatedly outbid. The terms of the scheme have severely restricted their ability to compete. They cannot use any of the funds offered by the OPW as a deposit, which must instead come from their own resources, a demand that is simply not feasible for the family, especially while they continue to service a mortgage on their uninhabitable house.”
“I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. This Commencement matter relates to flooding. If there is time, I hope to speak later on how flooding events in the past ten years have completely destroyed many areas in Listowel. Today I bring to the Minister of State's urgent attention a deeply distressing case involving the Gabrielyan family in Listowel, County Kerry, and the limitations of the OPW flood relocation scheme, VHR. The Minister of State will know well the voluntary homeowners relocation scheme, VHR, which came into effect in 2017. This family - Liene and Artur and their two sons - have endured unimaginable hardship. Their home in Gortacrossane has been flooded three times, most recently in 2023, and they were evacuated again in November 2024.”
“When the owners learned there would be a delay in receiving the full amount of funds, they pulled out of the sale in April 2024. In effect, this scheme means a family will be homeless between the time their property is demolished and the sale of the new property is finalised. Even if the family could somehow manage all of this, the amount of money the scheme is allocating to them is way too low. I could go on about the despair and anxiety this family are going through right now. They are basically homeless because of the next flood and because of this. I ask the Leader to call on the Minister of State for the OPW to solve this issue and come to the House to explain why this family must go through this torment.”
“The scheme does not allow for a deposit so the family has to come up with that money themselves, which can be as much as 10% of the cost of the house. The family's house has to be demolished before they can draw down any money, which is crazy. The bank has a clause in place stating that the timeframe between the house being demolished and the sale finishing cannot be more than three months. The process is protracted and there is very little in the way of support to the family from the OPW to navigate the intricacies of this scheme. For example, in December 2023, the family put a deposit on a house and had an understanding with the agent that they could be caretakers, live in the house and pay rent on it until a deal went through.”
“I raise a humanitarian issue for a family in Listowel. Over the last ten years, they have been flooded in their home three times. They applied for the relocation scheme through the OPW but it is not working in their favour. The family are Artur and Liene Gabrielyan and their two sons. I will outline the details of their family journey so far with the OPW relocation scheme. They applied for the scheme in 2020 and were approved in 2021 when they were offered X, Y and Z. The offer was increased after the family were flooded for the third time in June 2023. Unfortunately, the amount does not coincide with market values right now. The family have made bids on numerous houses and have been outbid each time. The clauses in the relocation scheme make it impossible.”
“We do not want to go backwards. I know the base is €3,000 but let us keep the €1,000 reduction. That must be a priority for the Government going forward. I look forward to working with and engaging with the Department. Senators, who are really ambassadors for the student population, will do everything we can to keep students on the right road and able to finish the school term.”
“We had a technological era and now we have a labour shortage, so we really need to progress that. We must also develop the framework for universities and provide clear routes to allow access for capital funding. The Minister mentioned student accommodation strategy groups. We have a severe housing problem throughout the country. There is no private rental market. We have heard of kids sleeping in their cars overnight to present at college the following morning. This cannot happen in 2025. The Minister must ensure it does not happen from now on. I ask that the Government continue to reduce the student contribution during its lifetime. The reduction of €1,000 over the past two terms has been hugely welcome and has eased the financial burden. I do not want the student contribution to increase again by €800 or €1,000.”
“With regard to SUSI’s earnings deductions, students really have to work and get off their backsides to make sure that they finish college life with a degree, diploma or otherwise. They must go out and work because of family circumstances. A figure of up to €12,000 has been mentioned. The Minister stated he is working with student bodies on determining what will be more appropriate at budget time. Could the figure of up to €12,000 be examined seriously? We must deliver on the commitments in the programme for Government to reform the CAO and introduce a single application process for apprenticeships. Very much highlighted in this debate was the fact that we have kind of forgotten about apprenticeships and the availability of the apprenticeship pathway to any person leaving school. It should have been highlighted more before now.”
“The technological universities, which I have mentioned to the Minister, have been transformative and an unbelievable blessing for their catchment areas. Reference was made to people in south Kerry going to Limerick. There are now people from Limerick going to Kerry, which is unprecedented. That is all welcome. As Senator Ní Chuilinn stated, we are the voice for every student and, particularly in these economically uncertain times, their families. Hopefully, we can help with the work being done by the Minister and his Department to deliver on everything in the programme for Government. The first of the four or five items I really wanted to drive home is increasing people's holiday earnings. The Minister referred to budget time and making sure everything promised in our programme for Government will be delivered.”
“I thank the Minister. This has been a wonderful debate on the future of every student. It is a relief that we can take back what was said to their families. These are difficult financial times for many families who are sending their kids to further, higher or third level education. Students and families in my area are coming to me about gaining access to the programme. This is the biggest problem. If the families can afford to access the programme, they will break any barrier to make sure their children get to third level and complete their courses. We have all spoken about different regions and the technological universities, their impetus and what they are doing in their areas, including Limerick.”
“Let us deliver an education system that is inclusive, future-proofed and grounded in the realities of student lives. From affordability to access, from apprenticeships to academic excellence, let us back our students, institutions and Ireland's future.”
“I refer to the establishment of Taighde Éireann, a turning point for Irish science and innovation. To compete globally, we must match ambition with funding. The project is being backed by €300 million of investment in research funding. Other countries, including the United States under President Trump's Administration, have pulled back on research spending. Ireland must go the other way. If we send the message that research is a national priority, we will not just retain our best minds; we will attract more global talent. That is a direct economic opportunity for this country. This motion reflects the next stages of reforming higher and further education. The foundations are in place, the new institutions are open and the momentum is with us. Now, let us finish the job.”
“We need strong targets and accountability, with pathways that reflect the real needs of Ireland's economy in sectors like construction, climate technology, healthcare, digital services, advanced manufacturing and more. By doing this, we will not only tackle skills shortages but build a stronger and more resilient and inclusive workforce. It is a direct investment in our economic future and social mobility for thousands of young people who are looking for a chance to earn while they learn. This is not just about reforming education; it is about transforming opportunity. Let us modernise the system to reflect the talents of our young people. Let us remove artificial barriers, expand pathways and build in Ireland where every learner can find their path and fulfil their potential.”
“That is what will help to solve our housing crisis, address our climate targets and deliver for industry. A single application portal, integrated alongside the CAO options, would ensure students could view all available options - university degrees, further education courses and apprenticeships - in one place. That transparency would shift the conversation, showing that apprenticeships are not a fallback but rather a first choice route for many with strong practical skills and a clear career focus. I call on the Government to ensure the five-year apprenticeship strategy is properly resourced, clearly communicated and delivered in close collaboration with employers and training providers.”
“For too long, our systems have reinforced the perception that university is the only legitimate path, but we know this is not true and that system is no longer fit for purpose. That is why in the motion we call on the Government to enact the clear commitments in the programme for Government to reform the CAO system, introduce a single unified application process for apprenticeships and deliver a comprehensive five-year national apprenticeship strategy. We want apprenticeships to be placed on an equal footing and made clearly visible and accessible to students who are practically minded and career focused. Whether it is construction, healthcare, IT or green skills, we need a five-year apprenticeship strategy that is outcome driven and properly resourced.”
“These future roles in education will lead to immediate further college accommodation. Immediate supports from the Government will ease the burden on students who will have every opportunity to study and work in Kerry. I acknowledge the Government's funding approval for 1,065 beds for students in UL, Dublin City University, Maynooth University and the University of Galway, and the good news is all have planning permission to go ahead. Another another core focus of the motion is to call on the Government to continue extending pathways into higher education. The traditional CAO model, while valuable, cannot be the only route. While we have made progress, there is still a critical gap in how young people access and understand their options after school.”
“MTU has more than 3,500 students and has gone from a small regional institute to a national leader in education, innovation and regional development. In 2024, Japanese company Astellas announced a €330 million investment in a new state-of-the-art facility at the Kerry Technology Park in Tralee, which marks a transformative milestone for the Kerry region. MTU and Astellas have a long-standing partnership and this new venture further strengthens their collaboration. The proximity of the new facility to MTU north campus will facilitate a seamless integration between academia and industry. The construction phase of the facility will generate 600 construction jobs. Once operational, the facility will create in excess of 100 highly specialised roles in engineering, science and technology.”
“That is the reason this motion calls on the Government to provide additional capital funding under the review of the national development plan and to put in place a borrowing framework for technological universities to access finance for student housing and campus infrastructure. It is 2025 and newly established universities should not be operating with outdated financial tools. We have seen the commencement and advancement of technological universities throughout the country and I wish to highlight the real success story that is the Munster Technological University, MTU, specifically the Kerry campus in Tralee. Technological universities are the most radical reconfiguration of the Irish higher education system in generations.”
“The current level of €8,424 is very welcome, but students deserve more flexibility to work more hours, not just for the summer but over the year, without losing financial support. That is not just about fairness, it is about preparing them for life and for work. My colleagues will speak on this very important issue, which aims to protect students and benefit local economies. One of the most urgent issues we face is student accommodation. While we welcome the building programme that is under way, we all know that demand continues to outstrip supply. Too many students are commuting long hours or are being priced out of rental options altogether due to the lack of affordable accommodation. This is a barrier to accessing education in all our regions and cities.”
“These cuts were not just symbolic; for many families they were lifelines that made the difference between sending their son or daughter to college and facing financial hardship. This work must continue. Fine Gael wants to see these fees reduced even more, step by step, until no capable student is denied access to education on the basis of cost. This year alone, the reduction benefited 103,000 students and families. It is vital we reduce fees. We also call on the Government to further increase the holiday earnings disregard for SUSI for students who do summer work. This is a practical step, one that recognises a time of world turmoil and rising costs of living. These students must work to support themselves just to stay in the college system.”
“Today, we are tabling a motion for debate in this House, calling on the Government to continue to reduce the student contribution fee during the lifetime of this Government's term. The long-term goal must be clear: cost should never be a barrier to education in this country. As a country, our ambition must be to deliver an education system that is affordable, inclusive, forward-looking and globally competitive; a system that opens college doors not just for the privileged few and that responds flexibly to the needs of a changing world. This motion is not just timely, it is urgent, as it reflects the daily reality of thousands of students and families who are grappling with financial pressures. We commend the €1,000 reductions in the student fees to date.”
“We have backed that with commitment and action such as successive reductions in the €1,000 in student contribution fees, expanded eligibility for SUSI grants, major investment in technological universities across the country, and a new accommodation building programme that is already under way. These are tangible steps that ease pressures on students and families. That speaks volumes, in particular at a time when inflation and cost-of-living issues bite hard, but progress is not the same as completion and this entire motion aligns squarely with the commitment in the programme for Government to build an innovation-driven economy to attract global investment and to ensure Ireland remains at the forefront of discovery and enterprise.”
“Today, Fine Gael Senators are proposing a motion on a matter of deep national importance, namely, the future of our third level education system. This sector is one of the greatest levers we have to lift opportunity, drive regional development and secure Ireland's economic strength in the long term. While we have made real progress, the time for complacency is long past. Now is the time for ambition, action and delivery. We in Fine Gael are proud of the progress made to date. The creation of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science under our party leader, the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, was transformative. For the first time we have a Department singularly focused on education beyond school, one that sees learners not just as students but as future leaders, innovators and builders of our economy.”
“I move: That Seanad Éireann: acknowledges: - the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; - our long established universities across the country; - the establishment and commencement of technological universities; - the multiple locations across regional Ireland that now have university campuses; - the establishment and work of our Education and Training Boards nationwide; - the importance of our high quality higher education system to producing graduates to fulfil our economic and societal needs; notes: - student accommodation delivered by universities and private developments, and that which is planned; - the Programme for Government commitments to investing and growing apprenticeships, including in the construction, retrofitting and healthcare sectors; - the reduction in the student contribution fee by €1,000 in each of two successive budgets; - the increased investment in the Student Assistance Fund; - that renters’ tax credit was extended to parents who pay for student children’s rent in the case of Rent-a-Room accommodation or ‘digs’, applied retrospectively back to 2022; - that ‘digs’ and on-campus student developments reduce pressure on the rental sector in university towns; - that accommodation shortages are causing students to travel long distances to University; - for the purposes of SUSI in the period 2025-2026, the maximum deduction for holiday earnings is €8,424, having been previously €7,925; calls on Government to: - continue to reduce the student contribution fee during its lifetime; - ensure additional capital funding for the third-level sector under the review of the National Development Plan; - develop a borrowing framework for technological universities and provide clear routes to allow access to capital funding for accommodation and other initiatives; - strengthen all-island collaborations and continue to support the North South Research Programme through the Shared Island Fund; - increase the holiday earnings deduction for SUSI for students going forward; - enact commitments in the Programme for Government to reform the CAO, introduce a single application process for apprenticeships and to deliver a five year apprenticeships plan; - increase funding for research and continue to fund Taighde Éireann to boost competitiveness; - identify and develop alternative routes into further education for the more practically minded student, particularly in roles that are in high demand; - engage with the Department of Education to explore the possibilities of rolling out practical programmes during transition year, such as Safe Pass Training, Health and Safety, Manual Handling and Driving Lessons and Theory; - fund an equipment renewal programme across Ireland’s further and higher education institutions and laboratories to ensure staff and students can undertake cutting edge research.”
“I want it to be mandatory and I want the Government to take up my proposal to make it mandatory. It is not illegal to save a life through early prevention. If we could monitor kids going to school, there could be an underlying condition identified in their older siblings or whatever and a child’s life could be saved in the meantime. I have seen it in Killarney. There was a case recently of a male athlete whose whole family needed pacemakers within a week because there was an underlying condition. I respect the Minister of State’s response but I call on the Minister to implement mandatory screening for all of the kids involved.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the response. Really, it is where we are and where we want to be, to be honest. Even in the last paragraph of his written reply, it refers to response times. I want to get away from the response times and to early intervention, where people are mapped from ages 12 to 18. They need to be mandatorily screened, with a certificate if they are going into competitive sports or whatever. They need to be mandatorily tested. It is not the response on the last page of the Minister of State's reply that I am looking for; rather, I am looking for a response that will put in place a mandatory screening check for every child who wants to participate in sports – nothing else. I respect that there is a lot going on but it is all nearly parallel to running afterwards.”
“I could go through personal tragedies which families have endured in recent weeks in my own area and even in the Munster area, where young teenagers have passed suddenly. One coach was on to me recently to say they had done a public test in a training dressing room where they asked 30 players how many were using inhalers. Two put up their hands but when they did a private survey on that team, seven were using inhalers to enhance their performance. We are living in a competitive sporting environment right now and, if anything, this cardiac screening must be introduced.”
“I am calling on the Minister for Health, the Minister for sport and indeed the Government to introduce immediate legislation which would make cardiac screening, including ECGs, mandatory for all competitive sports participants between the ages of 12 and 18. This must be a nationwide State-supported programme developed in a partnership with schools, sports bodies and medical professionals. Furthermore, we must ensure this programme is accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic background. It should not be a privilege but must be a right. Screening should be integrated into routine health checks for young athletes, creating a culture of prevention rather than reaction. We owe it to the families who have lost loved ones and to those who could be spared the heartbreak to act now before another young life is lost.”
“We cannot allow a screening programme to depend on tragedy for action. We need to prevent these incidents, not just respond to them. Sports organisations and charities have stepped up where policy has lagged behind. The Dillon Quirke Foundation, established after Dillon's sudden death during a hurling match in 2022, has already screened more than 10,000 young people, identifying 243 who required further cardiac evaluation. These screenings have undoubtedly saved lives, but no family should have to rely on charity alone for protection. If we require gumshields and helmets to safeguard our children from physical impact, why do we not check the organ most vulnerable under pressure, their hearts? The cost of inaction is measured in lost lives, grief-stricken families and communities devastated by preventable tragedies.”
“Across the world we see compelling evidence for preventative action. Italy's mandatory screening programme introduced in the 1980s has resulted in an 89% reduction in sudden cardiac deaths among young athletes. This is a clear demonstration that proactive measures save lives. In contrast, Ireland lacks a nationwide cardiac screening policy. While voluntary screenings are available, the reach remains limited and many young athletes remain vulnerable simply because they never had the opportunity to be tested. In Ireland, about 100 young people die every year from sudden adult death syndrome, SADS. Many of them are involved in sports and these young lives are cut short by inherited or undiagnosed heart conditions, silent invisible threats that often show no symptoms until it is too late.”
“I would like to speak on an issue that may sound dramatic but is an issue of life and death at the moment, that is, the urgent need to introduce mandatory cardiac screening for all competitive sports players between the ages of 12 and 18. Too often we only act after tragedy strikes. However, now we have a chance to act before it does. Heart conditions are among the leading causes of sudden death among young athletes. Many of these conditions remain undiagnosed due to their silent nature. There are no symptoms or warnings yet the consequences can be devastating. Studies show that early detection through cardiac screening, particularly electrocardiogram, ECG, testing, can significantly reduce the risk of sudden cardiac events by identifying underlying conditions before they become fatal.”
“If we are serious about protecting our people, securing our economy and reaching our renewable goals, we must support Shannon Energy as part of a broader responsible energy strategy. I urge all Senators to look at the evidence and risks and to do what is right for the nation's future, that is, reject this prohibition and support the resilience Ireland deserves.”
“It is a nightmare scenario with a real price tag. There is only one solution that provides full protection. It is a floating LNG terminal or a floating storage regasification unit, FSRU, like the one proposed for Shannon. It is mobile, low-cost, quick to deploy and geopolitically flexible. It is our insurance policy and it is the only one that would ensure we are never again one broken pipe away from a disaster. The amendment before us seeks to pretend that these facts do not exist. It is internally irresponsible, strategically dangerous and politically populist. Worst of all, it gambles with the lives and livelihoods of millions of Irish people. That is a gamble I will not be part of. A just transition does not mean an unstable one. A decarbonised Ireland must still be a functioning Ireland.”
“They are facts and they are warnings for any island nation that depends on a single point of entry. Today, Ireland gets virtually all its gas from the UK via a single interconnection. If that supply is interrupted by accident, sabotage or simply market pressures, the consequences will be immediate and catastrophic. In November 2023, the Department's security of supply review was published. Its conclusion was stark. If our UK gas supply fails, we have no backup. Protected customers will not be served. That means our homes, hospitals, schools and businesses would all go without heat and power. Let us be clear. This is not just about discomfort. It is about human safety, economic survival and national resilience. The ESRI has warned that such a failure would cost Ireland up to €1 billion per working day. That is not a typo.”
“It was a warning, a clear reminder that until we complete the energy transition, natural gas remains essential and not optional. The National Energy and Climate Plan 2024 recognises that a continuous and secure supply of gas is crucial. It is a bridge to a renewable future, not a detour from it, and as we strive for the clean, green ambition, we must keep the lights on, the hospitals running and our economy moving. Let us now talk about real, documented risk. On 26 September 2022, three of the four Nordstream gas pipelines were intentionally destroyed. Less than a year later, on 8 October 2023, the Baltic gas pipeline suffered the same fate. It was disabled for six months by nothing more than a ship's anchor. These are not hypothetical scenarios.”
“I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I speak in opposition to the amendment proposed by Senators Cosgrove and Harmon, not out of convenience but because of my deep concern for the energy security and future of our nation. I stand in firm opposition to the proposed insertion that states “, subject to a clear prohibition on the development of a Liquid Natural Gas terminal,”. This is not because I ignore climate change and the challenges we face, but because I refuse to ignore the energy realities that are already upon us. On 8 January this year, Ireland recorded its highest ever electricity demand of 6,024 MW. On that day there was no wind or sun and nature did not co-operate, yet the country could not shut down. Therefore, 80% of our electricity came from gas-fired generation. That moment was not an outlier.”
“I want the Minister for Justice or whoever it is to call on the gardaí for a public awareness campaign and for gardaí to step up their efforts to stop these people. They are taking in innocent, vulnerable people and it needs to be stopped straight away.”
“I am raising a very serious issue today that has blighted Knock in west Limerick and the lives of vulnerable people. Door-to-door scammers acting as bogus traders are scamming vulnerable people out of extortionate amounts of money. They are acting as tradesmen doing jobs like power hosing, painting or a tar job. One guy in the Knock area was caught for up to €4,000. Another job was up to €1,100. An elderly lady was charged €600 for a ten-minute job. They are posing as handymen but they are parasites in our area. The Minister for Justice was here for Commencement matters. This is a crime being committed right now. I was on Radio Kerry yesterday making people in my area aware that these scammers are operating. As Senator Brady said last week regarding foot and mouth, they have no borders. They are not just in my area but across the country.”
“There is a financial burden that the councils will not take on, GDPR aside. I will do more research into this to make sure that communities such as those in Tarbert and other villages in north Kerry are not burdened financially or by GDPR and that these cameras will be rolled out for their safety.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. There lies his problem, namely, with the local authorities, the general data protection regulation, GDPR, and data control. It is for An Garda Síochána to take responsibility for data control. That is how this can be presented to the public in the context of what can be used in statute law. I welcome it. Since 2023, we have seen disturbances on the streets of Dublin. In the context of these incidents, CCTV footage led to many people being brought to trial and some being given jail time. I look forward to coming back to this matter again when I get a response from Kerry County Council on its platform and pathway for making Kerry the safest county. I also look forward to seeing what pathways other counties intend to take. I raised this issue at local level.”
“The installation of CCTV means tourists will feel confident enough to visit places in Kerry where their safety is prioritised. CCTV can also provide evidence in investigations, helping to identify perpetrators, solve crimes and ensure that justice is served. In addition to crime prevention, CCTV can monitor traffic flow, detect accidents and ensure that roads are safe for all road users. To finish, CCTV will play a critical role in enhancing safety, deterring crime and supporting communities, the Garda and all local authorities. The installation of CCTV will make this country the safest there is. I look forward to hearing the response of the Minister.”
“This was not a safe environment, as fireworks were set off near homes and there was intimidation of passing traffic and people, which led to fear among families who were out trick-or-treating with their children. I met residents in that locality in the Tarbert Community Centre and almost 100 locals turned up for that public meeting. I promised them that night that there would be extra surveillance, as in the installation of CCTV, to protect the residents from disruption occurring on the next Hallowe'en night. Every one of them agreed with this. CCTV will protect businesses from theft, thus supporting all our local businesses. They are being exploited currently. CCTV will also serve our fantastic tourism market and people visiting Kerry in general. Kerry is the tourism capital of Ireland.”
“CCTV helps monitor public spaces, ensuring incidents and emergencies such as accidents or disturbances can be quickly detected and responded to by gardaí. Communities' peace of mind and sense of security can be increased by knowing this is in place, helping residents feel safer in their homes and in public spaces. I want to highlight what happened in a local village. Tarbert is in north Kerry. During Hallowe'en night, a gang of up to 50 youths, who were dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, took over the village between the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. It was a nasty situation. They took control of the village and set off fireworks. They had a fireworks battle. They interfered with traffic and the public, causing chaos.”
“I thank the Minister and welcome him to the Seanad. I wish to raise serious issues regarding the roll-out of CCTV surveillance in all our towns and villages across the country. It can offer several key benefits for public safety and well-being. CCTV systems act as a visible deterrent to individuals or groups considering illegal activities. In showing them they are being monitored, CCTV discourages such behaviour and prevents crime, including antisocial behaviour, theft, vandalism, assault, illegal dumping, drug trafficking in our villages and speeding through our villages. The benefits make everybody's life a lot safer. People are less likely to commit crimes such as theft, vandalism and assault if they know they are being monitored.”
“No correspondence whatsoever from any Department has informed people in the Listowel area when works are to commence. The Minister of State promised me that he would come to the Listowel area in April. I asked for that four weeks ago. It was an invite to come to Listowel but also an invite to tell me when works could commence. There are still sandbags on the streets of Listowel. There are a thousand sandbags at Killocrim. The one thing we do not want to see coming into anyone's town are sandbags because it runs down the whole area. I again ask the Minister of State to give me a start date for when these works can commence.”
“Floodwaters inundated the track and facilities, with water levels reaching up to 1.2 m, causing significant destruction. Racecourse director Pat Healy estimated the cost of the damage to be in the six-figure range. Residents in areas such as the Meadows and the Paddocks estates experienced severe flooding. As I stated previously, it went from saving homes to saving lives, especially in the Killocrim area, situated outside Listowel, which also faced significant flooding. Since I became a Senator, I have told the people of the Listowel and Killocrim areas that works and reports have been drawn up. These were brought to councillors as long ago as March 2021. Since then, there has been no contact from the OPW or Kerry County Council to members, including the mayor, Jimmy Moloney, whom I spoke to recently.”
“I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. He and I have debated this before as a Commencement matter, and I will give him a brief of that again. Storm Bert struck Listowel in November 2024. We should not let the blue skies today fool us when we are discussing flooding issues. Even before Storm Bert, we had three flooding issues in Listowel in July 2022 that destroyed the town, which led to the flood relief schemes that have since commenced and been finished. During Storm Bert in 2024, the River Feale, which runs through Listowel, burst its banks, leading to the evacuation of approximately 70 homes. Floodwaters reached unprecedented levels with depths exceeding 4 m, which surpassed the previous record of 3.5 m. Listowel Racecourse, adjacent to the River Feale, suffered extensive damage.”
“The programme for Government commits to progressively increasing funding for respite services. Let us start with St. Mary of the Angels in Beaufort, County Kerry. Our most vulnerable and their families deserve better. The solutions I am proposing tick all the boxes for students and their carers, their peers and families, the HSE, the healthcare system and the State. I invite the Minister of State to discuss these proposals in detail. I invite her to Kerry to meet the most dedicated people working and fighting for a better future for all.”