Brendan Kenneally Explained

Brendan Kenneally should not be confused with Brendan Kennelly.

Nationality:Irish
Office:Teachta Dála
Term Start:May 2007
Term End:February 2011
Term Start2:June 1989
Term End2:May 2002
Constituency2:Waterford
Office3:Senator
Term Start3:12 September 2002
Term End3:24 May 2007
Constituency3:Nominated by the Taoiseach
Office4:Minister of State
Suboffice4:Tourism, Transport and Communications
Subterm4:1992–1993
Birth Date:1 April 1955
Birth Place:Waterford, Ireland
Party:Fianna Fáil
Father:Billy Kenneally
Relatives:William Kenneally (grandfather)
Alma Mater:Waterford RTC

Brendan Kenneally (born 1 April 1955) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Waterford constituency, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1989 general election.[1] In February 1992, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Transport and Communications by the Taoiseach Albert Reynolds, serving until January 1993. He was re-elected at subsequent elections until his defeat at the 2002 general election.[2] He then became a member of the 22nd Seanad, nominated by the Taoiseach. He regained his Dáil seat at the 2007 general election.

Kenneally's father Billy Kenneally also served as a TD for Waterford from 1965 to 1982, and his grandfather William Kenneally served as a TD for Waterford from 1952 to 1961.

The Sunday Tribune reported that while a senator, between 2005 and 2007, Kenneally ran up total expenses amounting to €139,189.[3] On 3 August 2009, the Irish Independent revealed that Kenneally was one of the TDs with the highest expense claims in Dáil Éireann in 2008. He claimed €73,857 in expenses.[4] He lost his seat at the 2011 general election.[2]

In 2016, after his cousin was convicted of 1980s sexual abuse of boys, Brendan Kenneally revealed that he had been approached in 2002 by one victim's family but had not informed the Garda because the victim did not want him to.[5] This caused controversy in 2020 for Mary Butler, his successor as Waterford Fianna Fáil TD, who apologised for allowing him to canvass for her in the general election and for renting an office from him.[6]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brendan Kenneally. Oireachtas Members Database. 22 September 2009. 8 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181108144459/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/members/member/Brendan-Kenneally.D.1989-06-29. live.
  2. Web site: Brendan Kenneally. ElectionsIreland.org. 22 September 2009. 3 February 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090203042917/http://electionsireland.org/candidate.cfm?ID=3841. live.
  3. News: Seanad members claim over €10m in expenses for last four years . Sunday Tribune . 3 November 2009 . 21 November 2009 . dead . https://archive.today/20100119084713/http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/oct/25/seanad-members-claim-over-10m-in-expenses-for-last/ . 19 January 2010 .
  4. News: Publication of figures backed by politicians. Irish Independent. 3 August 2009. 21 November 2009. Michael. Brennan. 5 October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091005042757/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/publication-of--figures-backed-by-politicians-1849612.html. live.
  5. News: Tiernan . Damien . Former TD 'was told cousin abused boys but he said nothing' . 27 February 2020 . Sunday Independent . 25 September 2016 . en . 27 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200227124532/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/former-td-was-told-cousin-abused-boys-but-he-said-nothing-35076323.html . live .
  6. News: Parker . Christy . Mary Butler apologises for 'huge error of judgment' . 27 February 2020 . Irish Examiner . 26 February 2020 . en . 26 February 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200226223635/https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/butler-apologises-for-huge-error-of-judgment-984322.html . live .