Senator Seán Kyne launches Galway West bye-election campaign / An Seanadóir Seán Kyne ag seoladh fheachtas fothoghcháin Ghaillimh Thiar

Senator Seán Kyne’s campaign for the Galway West bye-election has been officially launched in Salthill, with the candidate promising to continue his extensive record of public service and delivery.

From Maigh Cuilinn, he has represented Galway West at every level of public life from the Cabinet, Dáil, to the Seanad over the past two decades. He said the campaign will be positive, issue-focused, and grounded in the priorities of the constituency from Galway city to Connemara, our islands and east of the city.

Speaking at the launch, Senator Kyne said:

“I was honoured to be selected by Fine Gael members in February to represent the party in this bye-election. I am determined to repay that trust with a hard-working and energetic campaign, which is Positive About Galway. The people of Galway West know me, and I know this constituency inside out.

“I have delivered for this area as a Councillor, a TD, a Minister at the Cabinet table, and as leader of Seanad Éireann – and I’m ready to do so again in the Dáil.

“This by-election is about experience and delivery. This vote is about having a voice which will be heard inside Government. I’m ready to be that voice for Galway-West.”

Throughout his career, Senator Kyne has pushed for real investment for Galway in areas like transport – campaigning for the Galway Ring Road, the Maigh Cuilinn by-pass and advocating the State’s purchase of Aerfort Connemara to ensure connectivity to our islands; investment for sport in guaranteeing State funding for the Dexcom Stadium, and campaigning for modern, high-quality healthcare in Galway.

In February 2025, Seán Kyne was appointed leader of Seanad Éireann – becoming the first person from Galway to ever hold the office.

Tánaiste and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said:   

“I have worked closely with Seán Kyne throughout my time in politics and I know first-hand the passion and determination he brings to everything he does for Galway West.

“It was my privilege to recommend Seán as Leader of Seanad Éireann, the first from Galway to ever hold that office, because I knew he would do the role proud.

“Now I want to see him back in the Dáil, fighting for the Ring Road delivery, for homes, for jobs and for the communities he has served for over two decades.

“Galway West would be very well served by returning Seán Kyne to Dáil Éireann.”

Fine Gael Director of Elections for the Galway West bye-election and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD said:

“Seán Kyne is the standout candidate in this bye-election. He has served the people of Galway West at every level – at Cabinet, in the Dáil, as leader of the Seanad and in Galway County Council.

“That depth of experience is simply unmatched on this ballot. Our campaign is out every day, knocking on doors, listening to people and making the case for why Seán in the right voice for the people of Galway West in Dáil Éireann.

“I’m confident the people of Galway West will return him to the Dáil.” 

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Tá feachtas an tSeanadóra Kyne d’fhothoghchán Ghaillimh Thiar seolta go hoifigiúil i mBóthar na Trá, agus gheall an t-iarrthóir go leanfaidh sé lena thaifead fairsing seirbhíse poiblí agus rudaí a chur i gcrích don phobal.

Is as Maigh Cuilinn é, agus rinne sé ionadaíocht ar Ghaillimh Thiar ag gach leibhéal den saol poiblí, ón gComh-Aireacht agus ón Dáil go dtí an Seanad le fiche bliain anuas. Dúirt sé go mbeidh an feachtas dearfach, go mbeidh sé dírithe ar shaincheisteanna, agus go mbeidh sé bunaithe ar thosaíochtaí an dáilcheantair, ó chathair na Gaillimhe go Conamara, ár n-oileáin agus soir ón gcathair.

Ag labhairt dó ag an seoladh, dúirt an Seanadóir Kyne:

“Ba onóir dom gur roghnaigh baill Fhine Gael mé i mí na Feabhra chun ionadaíocht a dhéanamh ar an bpáirtí san fhothoghchán seo. Táim rúnmhar an muinín sin a chúiteamh le feachtas fuinniúil agus díograiseach, atá Dearfach faoin nGaillimh. Tá aithne ag muintir Ghaillimh Thiar ormsa, agus tá eolas marbh agam ar an dáilcheantar seo.”

“Rinne mé éachtaí don cheantar seo mar Chomhairleoir, mar Theachta Dála, mar Aire ag bord an Rialtais, agus mar Cheannaire ar Sheanad Éireann — agus táim réidh chun an rud céanna a dhéanamh arís sa Dáil.”  

“Baineann an fothoghchán seo le taithí agus le torthaí a bhaint amach. Baineann an vóta seo le guth a bheith agat a mbeidh éisteacht aige laistigh den Rialtas. Táim réidh le bheith mar an guth sin do Ghaillimh Thiar.”

Le linn a ghairme, d’fhuascail an Seanadóir Kyne infheistíocht fhíor don Ghaillimh i réimsí cosúil le hiompar — ag feachtasaíocht ar son Bhóthar Chiorcad na Gaillimhe, Seachbhóthar Mhaigh Cuilinn agus ag tacú le ceannach Aerfort Chonamara ag an Stát chun ceangal lenár n-oileáin a chinntiú; infheistíocht don spórt trí mhaoiniú Stáit a ráthú do Staid Dexcom, agus feachtasaíocht ar son cúram sláinte nua-aimseartha ardchaighdeáin sa Ghaillimh.

I mí na Feabhra 2025, ceapadh Seán Kyne ina Cheannaire ar Sheanad Éireann, an chéad duine as Contae na Gaillimhe a bhain an oifig sin amach riamh.

Dúirt an Tánaiste agus Ceannaire Fhine Gael, Simon Harris:

“D’oibrigh mé go dlúth le Seán Kyne le linn mo chuid ama sa pholaitíocht agus tá eolas pearsanta agam ar an bpaisean agus an diongbháilteacht a bhíonn aige i ngach rud a dhéanann sé do Ghaillimh Thiar.”  

 “Ba phribhléid dom Seán a mholadh mar Cheannaire ar Sheanad Éireann, an chéad duine as Gaillimh a bhain an oifig sin amach riamh, mar bhí a fhios agam go ndéanfadh sé gaisce sa ról sin.”

“Anois, ba mhaith liom é a fheiceáil ar ais sa Dáil, ag troid ar son Bhóthar Chiorcad na Gaillimhe, ar son tithe, ar son postanna agus ar son na bpobal ar fhreastail sé orthu le breis agus fiche bliain.”  

 “Dhéanfaí freastal an-mhaith ar Ghaillimh Thiar trí Sheán Kyne a chur ar ais go Dáil Éireann.”

Dúirt an tAire Fiontair, Trádála agus Fostaíochta agus Stiúrthóir Toghcháin Fhine Gael d’fhothoghchán Ghaillimh Thiar, Peter Burke TD:

“Is é Seán Kyne an t-iarrthóir is suntasaí san fhothoghchán seo. Rinne sé freastal ar mhuintir Ghaillimh Thiar ag gach leibhéal, ag bord an Rialtais, sa Dáil, mar Cheannaire ar an Seanad agus i gComhairle Contae na Gaillimhe.”

“Níl sárú le fáil ar an doimhneacht taithí sin ar an bpáipéar ballóide seo. Tá ár bhfeachtas amach gach lá, ag bualadh doirse, ag éisteacht leis an bpobal agus ag déanamh na cáise ar son an fhátha gurb é Seán an guth ceart do mhuintir Ghaillimh Thiar i nDáil Éireann.”

“Tá mé lánmhuiníneach go gcuirfidh muintir Ghaillimh Thiar ar ais sa Dáil é.”