Senator Seán Kyne

Seán Kyne is a Senator in the 26th Seanad. Senator Kyne previously served as Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands from 16 October 2018 to 27 June 2020. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment with responsibility for Natural Resources, Community Affairs, and Digital Development up to October 2018. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2011 representing the constituency of Galway West which encompasses the City, Oranmore/Claregalway and Connemara.

He previously served as Minister of State for Gaeltacht Affairs and Natural Resources in May 2016.

From 2004 to 2011, Seán was a member of Galway County Council for the Connemara Electoral Area.

Seán lives in Clydagh which is just outside his home village of Moycullen. He attended St. Mary’s College in Galway City before attaining a degree and Master’s degree in Agricultural Science at NUI Galway and UCD respectively.

For 11 years, Sean worked as an agri-environmental consultant with particular responsibility for the Rural Environmental Protection Scheme.

Since election in 2011 Seán has worked on a variety of issues including:

Encouraging job creation whether by highlighting barriers to employment including rates, access to credit, access to the Financial Ombudsman, or by contributing to the debates on the Jobs Action Plan and the Jobs Initiative.
Highlighting the ever-present need for the Outer Bypass and ensuring that the project is in a state of readiness pending a decision from Europe; contacting the NRA and NTA regarding other transport, including public, issues in Galway.
Supporting the maintenance of the Social Protection budget which provides a vital safety net and support base which all citizens will need at some point and pressing for reform of the Social Welfare system e.g. the IT system, the management practices and so forth to ensure that the reduced resources reach those who most need them.
Educational issues and emphasising, particularly among urban TDs, the importance of rural, DEIS and Gaeltacht schools to their respective communities;
Energy sources including the issue of how to maximise the benefits from renewable energy sources particularly for schools and small, local businesses.
Agricultural issues affecting Galway’s farming community.
Turf-cutting on bogs, particularly in Connemara.
Financial advice and supports available to people, particularly mortgage holders, and the regulation of such services.
An Ghaeilge and how we can work to protect and promote our linguistic heritage as a living language.
Working to build a fair and equal society where the rights of all, including LGBT citizens, persons with a disability and the elderly, are respected.

News & Statements

Using drones to deliver defibrillators could save lives - Kyne

The use of drones to deliver defibrillators in cardiac emergencies could save lives, a Fine Gael senator has said.

21st January 2024

NTA must provide more stops on Local Link bus services – Kyne

The National Transport Authority (NTA) needs to give immediate consideration to the frequency of stops offered along rural Local Link bus services, a Fine Gael Senator has said. Senator Seán Kyne is also calling on Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan to engage with the National Transport Authority (NTA) on introducing flexibilities on this service.

27th August 2023

Collapse in TV Licence revenue threatens independent production companies and jobs – Kyne

The collapse in TV licence revenue threatens the future of independent production companies and their associated jobs, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

21st August 2023

Sinn Féin’s mismanagement of financial returns and declarations needs accountability – Kyne

Sinn Féin’s mismanagement of their finances and inconsistencies in their spending declarations require clear explanations from their party leader Mary Lou McDonald and national treasurer Pearse Doherty, Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne has said.

23rd February 2023

Axing of Ring Road Permission condemns Galway citizens to spend another decade stuck in their cars– Kyne

The decision by An Bord Pleanála to quash its permission for the Galway City Ring Road has been described as hugely disappointing by Fine Gael Senator and Ring Road supporter, Seán Kyne.

14th October 2022

New passport office should open in the West to improve service for applicants – Kyne

A new passport office should open in the West to process applications and help eliminate delays for service users, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

10th October 2022

AIB u-turn shows banks must never take customers for granted - Kyne

AIB’s reversal of an initial decision to make 70 branches cashless should be a lesson to all banks to respect their loyal customers and never take them for granted, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

22nd July 2022

Insurance legislation reform leading to cheaper insurance for consumers – Kyne

The concentration on insurance reform by Government since 2016 has led to a considerable drop in premium costs for consumers, according to Fine Gael Senator Seán Kyne.

21st June 2022