A Chara,
Welcome to my July/August 2017 newsletter! I hope everyone had a great summer. I have been very busy over the past number of weeks attending a lot of exciting events and meetings in Ireland. Working for my constituents in Brussels is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. However, meeting them in Ireland and discissing my work is equally important so I am always delighted to spend more time at home. In this newsletter, I have included pictures and articles detailing my work in my constituency during the summer.
I am continuing to work on a wide range of issues on your behalf and if I can be of any assistance to you at any time, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Is mise le meas,
Seán Kelly
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(Top Left) I had a great time at the Glenflesk GAA club wheelbarrow race in August!! It’s not often that I get to go head-to-head against my fellow politicians in a wheelbarrow! This was a part of GlenFest, a celebration to mark 40 years of the Glenflesk pitch and to celebrate the launch of the new pitch. Pictured at the Glenflesk Wheelbarrow Race are (L-R) Deputy Micheal Healy-Rae, James Furlong, Derry Healy (Club Chairperson), Deputy John Brassil, Michelle Morris, Deputy Danny Healy-Rae, Marie O’Connor, Peggy Horan and Danielle Favier.
(Top Right) With Dr. Tom Mc Cormack, Fr. Maurice Brick, Sinead Cotter at a fundraiser for Kerry General Hospital at the Tralee Greyhound Track
(Bottom Right) With Australians in Thurles
(Bottom Left) How times flies: Kevin and Laura Keary's Wedding. Kevin was my assistant from my first term in Brussels. He now works for Commissioner Hogan and is married to a wonderful Mayo woman, Laura. I wish them both the best of luck in their new married life!
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The Kerry Social Farming Project
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The Kerry Social Farming Project was launched in July. Its main aim is to give adults with disabilities the opportunity to engage with farm families, to facilitate social inclusion and provide opportunities in rural communities. This summer the Project won the overall prize at the Kerry Community Awards 2017, showcasing the great initiatives taking place within the local communities in our constituency.
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In July a walk between Lord Brandon’s cottage and the Bride Valley in Kerry by the Kerry Folklore Group launched the new Kerry App. This new app provides users with information on the heritage and archaeological sites along the walk. I was there with the German Ambassador Herr Matthias Hopfner and his wife, Tina, Minister Brendan Griffin, the football legend Mikey Ned O’Sullivan, along with many more. It was a thoroughly enjoyable occasion and I am certain this will be a great asset to the Kerry Way.
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On the 11th August the Bantry Bay Port Company officially opened the new Bantry Harbour Marina. To celebrate the opening, the Bantry Regatta and BBQ took place over the weekend. A great event and a fantastic asset to the local community.
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Turning sod at St. Michael’s College Listowel
(L-R) Vice Princpal & Kerry 1997 All Ireland Captain Liam Hasset, Br. Griffin & John Brassil TD
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I opened my new consituency office in Clonmel Co. Tipperary a few months ago. I'm delighted that this year Fine Gael held its two day Special Parliamentary Party Meeting on the 14th and 15th of September in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Attendees saw the very best of South Tipp, with the meeting taking place in the Hotel Minella, right between the Suir and the Comeraghs. This is a big boost for Fine Gael in Tipperary, and I was honoured to welcome members of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party to Clonmel, and indeed to the Ireland South constituency.
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#ExitfromBrexit
British business must be more vocal
This summer I started using the hashtag #ExitFromBrexit, to urge more British businesses to come out against Brexit and call for a stop to what will be a “lose-lose” situation for all. I believe that the British business community must come together and be more vocal on this issue. I praise the example set by the business community in both the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland, who have taken a stand on the issue.
I firmly believe that #ExitfromBrexit is the only sensible solution. However, I have worked tirelessly over the last few months to ensure that Irish voices are heard in the negotiations and I will continue to do so.
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The Master of Tradition in Bantry
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This summer I also attended the Masters of Trad in Bantry, celebrating our traditional music.
Clockwise from top:
With legendary folk singer Christy Moore
With the brilliant Martin Hayes
With Mary Hegarty Fine Gael Councillor
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Halawa Acquitted, but breach of human rights
Yesterday I was delighted to hear that Ibrahim Halawa has been aquitted of all charges. I am pleased that we have finally received a verdict and that this awful time has come to an end for Ibrahim and his family. Between constant postponements and the use of the mass trial format, Ibrahim has been denied his basic human rights over the past four years. In August I criticised the postponement of the trial of the imprisoned Irishman. I was the first MEP to raise this issue in Parliament almost four years ago and I could have never imagined then that it would be September 2017 until we would see a verdict. Tribute must be paid to the diplomatic efforts of the Irish goverment for this case.
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In July a group of secondary school students from Cork and Limerick, who attend Charleville CBS, Co. Cork, presented their plan to Members of the European Parliament and policymakers in Brussels on how to reduce Europe's “carbon cup print”. Conor Buckley, Eamonn O'Sullivan and Conor O'Brien from Co. Cork, and Luke Moore and Aidan Donegan from Co. Limerick outlined their plan to reduce our carbon cup print or the reusable cup waste, and therefore reduce deforestation, landfill, water waste and CO2 emissions. As an Ambassador to the school and as lead negotiator for the EPP group in the European Parliament on the Renewable Energy Directive, I am delighted to support projects like these and I would hope to see more in the future.
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