Kilkenny TD makes final address to the Dáil ahead of a major political move

Kilkenny Sinn Fein TD, Kathleen Funchion has addressed Dáil Eireann for the final time before assuming a role as an MEP for the Ireland South constituency in the European Parliament next week.

The TD who has represented the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency since 2016 joins Independent Michael McNamara and Fianna Fail’s Cynthia Ni Mhurchu in Europe representing an area which comprises of ten counties including Kilkenny.

"For the past eight years I've had the honour and the privilege of representing that (Carlow-Kilkenny) constituency and it's been a real honour," Deputy Funchion said.

"Sometimes that word is overused and sometimes it sounds a bit cliched but it genuinely has been and as a lot of people who would know me well know, I never imagined I would end up in this chamber or the council chamber and certainly not having the huge honour that lies ahead in becoming a member of the European Parliament," she added.

"I want to thank everybody who have always been there the people who support us and vote for us, the people who campaign, families, friends, in this role as we all know regardless of what party you are or independent you need a support structure in place," the Kilkenny TD and recently elected MEP stated.

The Sinn Fein TD also recalled some of our highlights and achievements while a member of Dáil Eireann.

"The one that always stands out for me is the Repeal the Eighth Referendum. I will never forget being in the count centre in Kilkenny on May 26 in 2018 when the results were announced and for me it was one of the greatest I've ever had the opportunity to be involved," commented Ms Funchion, noting she was the only TD in Carlow-Kilkenny supporting a yes vote at the time.

The former Kilkenny Borough Council and County Council representative also reflected positively on her work in the areas of children and disabilities.

"I want to mention the area of disabilities, it's always been a passion of mine and in 2019 we passed a motion here unanimously that I put forward in relation to setting up an autism committee and we actually that come to fruition in this past Dáil term and it has made huge inroads in relation to us talking about having an autism strategy which is really important," she added.

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"I really thoroughly enjoyed chairing the children's committee, a fantastic committee, really great members, everyone worked really well together and I particularly think of all the survivors that we dealt with when it came to the mother & baby institutions and how they came before us and told us their stories. Not an easy thing to do and it was during Covid as well which made it extremely difficult for people."

"I'm very much looking forward to getting into the role next week and representing the full ten counties of Ireland South to the best of my ability," Ms Funchion concluded.