Presentation to senator Rory Kiely |
Senator Rory Kiely's election as Cathaoirleach of the Seanad was honoured by Limerick County Council at a civic reception on Monday.
Senator Kiely's new position is the pinnacle in a long career in public life stretching back to 1977 when he was first elected to the Senate, said Council cathaoirleach Brigid Teefy.
"Apart from one slight glitch in 1982 he has been re-elected at each Seanad election, serving under nine cathaoirligh," said Cllr Teefy before an audience made up of councillors, officials and Senator Kiely's family: wife Eileen, sons Vincent, Roderick, daughters Aileen and Geraldine as well as his sister Eileen Fitzsimons.
A past pupil of Charleville CBS and a native of Feenagh Senator Kiely studied Social and Rural Science in UCC and has worked as a farmer all his life.
He is a member of the Munster Agricultural Society and was formerly Fianna Fail Seanad spokesperson on agriculture, chairman of the Fianna Fail agriculture committee from 1993 to 1997 and a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture Food and Rural Development.
Cllr Teefy also outlined Senator Kiely's passion for GAA where he has been a member of the Munster Council since 1982.
"He was chairman of Limerick County Board from 1969 to 1981 during which time we last achieved that elusive All Ireland Senior title. Rory has during three separate periods been a selector of the County Senior Hurling team," said Cllr Teefy.
She said Senator Kiely is a person who is respected by all and this has been the hallmark of his career in public life and is an affable person who works well with people in all facets of his life.
"This is epitomised again in his speech to the Seanad when elected Cathaoirleach when he stated that it was his intention to operate in the Seanad in a spirit of co-operation rather than confrontation," said Cllr Teefy who presented Senator Kiely with a stunning piece of Dromcollogher Dresden.
Cllr Teefy had been among those who travelled with Senator Kiely and Deputy John Cregan to the St Patrick's Day celebrations in New York just the week before.
All further speakers made mention of Senator Kiely's pleasant personality who is able to keep his head when others were losing theirs during heated debates.
In response Senator Kiely said he appreciated Limerick County Council's gesture for inviting him to a civic reception and thanked Councillor's for their kind words.
By virtue of being Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Mr Kiely is a member of the Council of State and, in the absence from the country of the President, he assumes the functions of the President with Chief Justice Ronan Kaene and Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O'Hanlon.
