Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne has said he is the “most experienced candidate” in the Galway West by-election race, pointing to his more than two decades in politics and record in government.
In an exclusive interview with Gript during the campaign, Kyne also discussed the recent fuel protests, the future of the Irish language, and his support for allowing children under the age of 16 to legally change their gender with parental assistance under the Gender Recognition Act.
Asked for his “60-second elevator pitch” to voters, Kyne said he believed his political experience set him apart from the other candidates in the contest, such as his near rivals in the polls Noel Thomas and Helen Ogbu.
“I’m the most experienced candidate in this field,” Kyne said.
“I’ve over 22 years in politics as a councillor, TD, Minister of State, cabinet briefly, and as a Senator now. I’ve delivered for this constituency, whether it be in relation to working with Minister Naughton on the Dexcom Stadium, the purchase of Connemara Airport for the people of Árainn, and to ensure continuity of service, the Moycullen bypass, the community centre fund.
“I believe that I have worked hard to deliver for this constituency. We have four summers left in this government, and it’s only government TDs that can deliver more needed amenities and infrastructure for this constituency.”
Kyne was also asked about the perception that the Government is too woke, specifically regarding comments he made in 2015 during debates surrounding the Gender Recognition Act, which he described at the time as “overdue” legislation.
During those debates at the time, Kyne had said it was “outrageous” that it had taken so long for the legislation to pass, and said that children under the age of 16 should be able to change their gender, because “many trans persons are aware of their true gender long before the age of 16.”
Asked whether that remained his position today, Kyne said the legislation had broad political backing at the time and described the issue as “very, very complex”.
“That was a particular piece of legislation at the time,” Kyne said.
“From memory, I don’t believe anybody opposed that. You can correct me on the record on that…So, all politicians in Dáil Éireann in that term – 2011 to 2016 – supported that particular piece of legislation.
“I just feel for people who have concerns and who have worries about their bodies, particularly young people, about whether it be their sexuality or who they are. And we’re dealing with real people.”
He said that he does believe that children under 16 should be able to change their gender, with parental support.
“I think there would have to be very strong reasons why children under 16 [would change their gender],” he said.
“I believe that the parents should be very much to the fore of that. I would be concerned that they get all the advice and support, and that they would very much consider it fully and the implications and consequences of such a dramatic change.”
The Fine Gael senator was also asked about criticism levelled at the government during the recent fuel protests, with some claiming the response had been too heavy-handed.
Kyne said he had encountered concerns from different perspectives while canvassing.
“Certainly, the protest has come up on both sides,” Kyne said.
“People concerned that the government may have been too slow, and more say a concern about a breakdown in law and order. So, it depends who you’re talking to and where you’re talking to them.”
He also said his own family background had made him familiar with the concerns raised by those involved in the transport sector.
“My late father drove lorries all his life,” Kyne continued.
“My two brothers have a very small business, just the two of them; they drive trucks. So, I’m very attuned to these things and they were bringing back and feeding back issues and concerns that they have regarding costs and increase in costs that I was feeding back to government as well.”
Speaking about the Irish language, Kyne said Irish was “under threat” due to pressure from English-language media and social media, but said he believed the future of the language remained positive if supports continued.
“Irish is under threat; there’s no point in denying it,” Kyne said.
“There is a pressure from English, from the social media in English, from the traditional media as well. [Hence] the importance of RnaG, of TG4, of those who platform through the Irish language.
“We need to ensure that Gaeltacht stays strong, and that’s why we need to ensure that we continue to allow people with Irish to be able to build in Gaeltacht communities, to live and to work in Gaeltacht communities.”
The Galway West by-election has attracted a large field of 17 candidates, with polling in recent weeks suggesting a competitive race between several contenders.