X CASE LEGISLATION FINALLY ADDRESSES KEY ISSUE AFTER TWO DECADES OF DEBATE
Posted on June 26, 2013 7:35 PM
At the outset I wish to say that I am pleased to see this legislation, which finally addresses an issue that has been the subject of a great deal of discussion, not only over the last several months, but for the past two decades. While that debate and discussion has sometimes been extremely heated in the past, it has in fact been much more calm and reasoned over the last several months. This change is something I welcome very much. I must say that I think the fact that the Oireachtas was waiting two decades to address the issue of...
REAL TIME APP INTEGRATES UPDATES FOR ALL STATE BUS AND RAIL SERVICES - KENNY
Posted on June 26, 2013 7:34 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Seán Kenny, has said that the new national transport App, integrating all real-time arrival information services for Bus Eireann, Dublin Bus, Irish Rail, DART and Luas in one place, will add a new dimension to getting the latest information on State bus and rail services. "Technology can greatly improve the transport experience and the Real Time Ireland App is a further demonstration of this. Transport users now have all the real time travel information available in Ireland literally at the touch of a button. Minister Alan Kelly...
KENNY WELCOMES DELIVERANCE OF JUSTICE FOR MAGDALENES
Posted on June 26, 2013 7:33 PM
Seán Kenny, the Dublin Bay North Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, has welcomed the announcement by the Government that a compensation scheme worth up to €58 million for the survivors of the Magdalene Laundries is to be made available. "The Government has decided that this recommendation should be implemented immediately. Reconciliatory justice delayed is reconciliatory justice denied. This is something I very much welcome. The redress package is based on the recommendations of High Court judge Mr. Justice John Quirke. It provides for counselling services and medical cards for each of the women. The key...
IRELAND NEEDS TO HAVE A BANKING INQUIRY IN NEAR FUTURE
Posted on June 25, 2013 4:50 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD and Oireachtas Justice Committee member Seán Kenny has said that a bank inquiry is needed in the near future. "People around the country are absolutely furious at the Anglo tapes that are being played over the airwaves this week. The contemptuous and frankly abusive tone taken by the individuals on the tapes show just how toxic the banking industry was in Ireland in the run up to the blanket bank guarantee in 2008." "People already knew of the pressing need for a banking inquiry, but The Anglo tapes show even more clearly the need for...
KENNY WELCOMES 500 EXTRA TEACHING POSTS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS OVER RESOURCE TEACHERS
Posted on June 25, 2013 2:24 PM
"I very much welcome the agreement at Cabinet today that allows for the immediate provision and allocation of 500 additional resource teaching posts, which will go some way in addressing the concerns that parents and teachers have." "It is essential that we maintain the supports that are given to children with a need for special educational resources and I am looking forward to what the review group has to say when it reports in September." "It is clear from recent developments that a new model for the allocation of resource teachers is required so that children who are in need...
KENNY COMMENDS IRISH COASTGUARD WRISTBAND CAMPAIGN
Posted on June 25, 2013 12:49 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD Seán Kenny has welcomed the new summer water safety campaign launched by The Irish Coast Guard. "This campaign is aimed at increasing summer water safety and is designed to protect children on beaches and near coastlines. This is the latest stage in the Irish Coast Guard's summer safety campaign which began in May this year and is aimed at holidaymakers, those engaged in water sports, people enjoying cliff walks or engaging in coastal activities throughout Ireland. The Irish Coast Guard's first TV advertising campaign is also currently underway on RTE." "This part of the campaign...
KENNY WELCOMES ADDITIONAL 6,000 SPRINGBOARD THIRD LEVEL PLACES FOR UNEMPLOYED
Posted on June 21, 2013 2:58 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD Seán Kenny has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Education and Skills Ruairi Quinn that another 6,000 free part-time higher education places are being made available to provide re-training opportunities for jobseekers. "Over 200 Springboard courses will be provided at 38 Institutes of Technology, Universities and privately-run higher education colleges across Ireland for individuals to acquire new skills that are in demand in the economy. This includes Dublin City University (DCU) and the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT)." "The courses will focus on growth areas such as Information Technology, Communication, International Languages and International Financial...
SIGNIFICANT IRISH PUBLIC FIGURES BEGAN IN SEANAD - KENNY
Posted on June 20, 2013 1:52 PM
Speaking on the Thirty-second Amendment of the Constitution (Abolition of Seanad Eireann) Bill I want to welcome this legislation which will start the process for the referendum on the future of Seanad Éireann. Much has been said on this issue already, and I have no doubt that much more will be said on the question of the Senate before the referendum is concluded, but I am glad the process is now formally underway. The Government is providing the ultimate public debate in the form of a long public referendum campaign between now and early October when we can have a...
THERE WILL NOT NOW BE ANY SELLING OFF OF THE COILLTE HARVESTING RIGHTS - KENNY
Posted on June 19, 2013 5:41 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD Seán Kenny has welcomed the announcement by Government that the harvesting rights for Coillte will not be sold. "I am very happy that following the development of a number of detailed financial, technical and other specialist reports in 2012 by external specialist consultancy bodies, in full consultation with the Board of Coillte and its executive management, and following the raising of several issues by various interest groups, including, amongst others, the issue of public access to the forests, replanting obligations to ensure the continued existence of our forests, harvesting policy, the supply of timber to...
KENNY WELCOMES GARDA RESPONSE TO RECENT PUBLIC ORDER DISTURBANCES IN HOWTH
Posted on June 19, 2013 1:38 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee has welcomed the response he has received from the Gardaí regarding recent public order disturbances in Howth and the actions they have taken to deal with such events, and what they will do if more occur. "I directly asked by way of Dáil Question to the Minister for Justice about recent events in Howth and he has informed me that An Garda Síochána has told him that it is aware of issues which can be associated with periods of extended good weather, including the recent events in Howth....
LABOUR TD KENNY WELCOMES RE-OPENING OF CLONSHAUGH ROAD
Posted on June 17, 2013 1:57 PM
Labour TD Seán Kenny has welcomed the completion of roadworks on the Clonshaugh Road. "It is great news that these roadworks have been completed as the Clonshaugh Road was closed for quite a long while." "The road has been re-opened to two-way traffic since Thursday 13th June, and the area is now getting back to normal on a much improved road." "The support and understanding of the local community has been very impressive - the works were quite substantial and they caused distruption, but the benefits of the new road are there to see."...
KENNY WELCOMES CONTRACT WIN FOR HOWTH CLOUD COMPUTING FIRM
Posted on June 14, 2013 5:01 PM
Dublin Bay North and Howth Labour TD Seán Kenny has welcomed the news that Dublin cloud computing company Decisions (D4H) has secured a five-year contract with the Government of Alberta, Canada, to provide its software for emergency services to 40 search-and-rescue teams in the province. "This excellent news was announced earlier this week during an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to Western Canada, which was organised with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Embassy of Ireland to Canada. D4H (Decisions for Heroes) is one of the 15 Irish companies that took part in the week's trade mission, which...
KENNY RAISES HOWTH EAST MOUNTAIN PATHWAY IN COUNTRYSIDE BILL DAIL DEBATE
Posted on June 14, 2013 2:49 PM
Speaking on the Access to the Countryside Bill 2013 I welcome the Access to the Countryside Bill 2013 which aims to increase the amount of private land that is accessible to the public for recreational activities such as walking, orienteering and cycling. Recreational users of the countryside have few rights. Most legal rights to do with access are on the side of the landowners. The only places in Ireland where freedom to roam exists are the National Parks. Although they include some of the most scenic areas they cover only about 1% of the country. Walking is by far the...
KENNY WISHES NEW PORTMARNOCK LABOUR COUNCILLOR JUDY DUNNE WELL
Posted on June 14, 2013 2:48 PM
Labour TD Seán Kenny, who was elected to represent Dublin North East and Portmarnock in the 2011 General Election has welcomed the co-option of Judy Dunne as a Labour Party councillor, replacing the outgoing going Councillor Peter Coyle, who has decided to retire. "I have known Judy for many years now, and know she is very dedicated to the community of Portmarnock. She has a very solid level of experience both in politics and outside and I know she will be able to bring that experience to her work as a councillor. I have no doubt that she will be...
KENNY PRAISES GARDA RESPONSE TO RECENT INCIDENTS IN HOWTH
Posted on June 14, 2013 2:47 PM
Howth Labour TD Seán Kenny member of the Oireachtas Justice Committee has praised the response by the Gardaí to the recent incidents that occurred in Howth. "While the country was enjoying the long spell of good weather recently, there were some challenges for the Gardaí when it came to patrolling in Howth on top of their normal policing duties." "On the 4th of June, a large group of up to 200 youths gathered on the East Pier in Howth. The majority of youths were well behaved, boisterous but law abiding citizens, however 30 youths approximately had consumed alcohol. Gardaí attached...
EXTENSION OF MOBILITY & TRANSPORT ALLOWANCES A RELIEF FOR THOSE IN NEED - KENNY
Posted on June 13, 2013 1:43 PM
Seán Kenny, the Labour Party T.D. for Dublin Bay North and member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, has welcomed the decision taken by the Government to continue with the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant, until later in the year, when a new statutory scheme gets underway. "The Government has agreed to continue these payments until October. An inter-departmental group is to develop proposals to bring in a new scheme by then, which will replace the existing scheme. Many people currently in receipt of the present grant would be isolated were it not for the availability of such a...
QUESTION MARKS HANG OVER MCGUINNESS SUITABILITY TO CHAIR PAC
Posted on June 12, 2013 5:35 PM
Question marks hang over the suitability of Fianna Fáíl TD John McGuinness to chair the PAC Dublin Bay North Labour TD Seán Kenny has said. "I first raised this issue last year when Deputy McGuinness, made strong, trenchant attacks and criticisms of the Mahon tribunal report following its publication, especially in respect of the tribunal costs. At the same time, he neglected to refer to his own intervention in the Cargobridge affair in the 1990's, where Deputy McGuinness, then a councillor in Kilkenny, made direct representations by letter to the then Taoiseach, Mr. Albert Reynolds, in favour of the Cargobridge...
KENNY WELCOMES APPOINTMENT OF COMREG COMMISSIONERS
Posted on June 12, 2013 11:40 AM
Labour TD for Dublin Bay North, Seán Kenny, and member of the Oireachtas Communications Committee, has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Communications, Pat Rabbitte, to appoint Gerry Fahy and Jeremy Godfrey as Commissioners of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg). "Following an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service, Mr. Fahy and Mr. Godfrey will join existing Commissioner, Kevin O'Brien, which now brings the Commission to its full complement of three commissioners. The two successful candidates have considerable experience in the telecommunications sector, and will bring distinctive if different backgrounds to the important work of communications and postal...
KENNY WELCOMES ADDITIONAL TECH JOBS AT GROUPON
Posted on June 11, 2013 12:51 PM
Labour TD and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Seán Kenny, has welcomed the announcement by Groupon that it has launched a recruitment campaign for over 20 new full-time positions at its Dublin operation. "I warmly welcome the news that Groupon are on a recruitment drive for experienced software engineers, computer programmers, data scientists and computational marketers, as well as for new college graduates in related disciplines, skills I know that Irish tech workers have. With plans to move to new offices in Dublin city centre as part of the expansion plan, the company already employs about a dozen...
LABOUR TD KENNY CALLS ON AN BORD PLEANALA TO CONSIDER REFUSAL OF CLONSHAUGH AS SEWAGE TREATMENT LOCATION
Posted on June 10, 2013 5:38 PM
Dublin Bay North Labour TD, Seán Kenny, today strongly restated his opposition to the decision by the Fingal County Manager to select Clonshaugh as the location for the new North Dublin Sewage Treatment Plant. "There are more than 2500 residential buildings within 0.5 - 1.0 km of the Clonshaugh boundary site, including Clonshaugh, Priorswood, and Darndale housing estates as well as the Burnell Court apartment development at the Northern Cross. Building a sewage treatment plant on the doorstep of these estates would be unacceptable. It must be noted that the local authority that made the decision is Fingal County Council,...
DUBLIN BAY NORTH LABOUR TD KENNY CALLS ON NRA TO RETHINK EXTRA TOLLING POINTS ON M50
Posted on June 5, 2013 9:26 AM
Seán Kenny, the Dublin Bay North Labour T.D., and member of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, today called on the NRA to rethink its proposals to introduce extra tolling points on the M50 motorway between Ballymun and Finglas; the current point at Blanchardstown; at Parkwest between the N4 and Red Cow; between Firhouse and Ballinteer; and between Sandyford and Carrickmines. "The provision of an extra tolling point between Ballymun and Finglas would merely transfer capacity from the M50 on to smaller residential roads starting as far back as the Malahide Road and Collins Avenue on the Northside." "Many motorists use...
