Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

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. 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. 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. 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.