Billy Kelleher T.D. Cork North Central

Born: 20/01/68
Marital Status: I am married to Liza Davis and we have a daughter, Rebecca.
Residence: Ballyphilip, Whitescross, Glanmire, Co Cork
Education: Upper Glanmire National School, Sacred Heart College Carrignavar, Co Cork, Agricultural College Pallaskenrey, Co Limerick.

After completing my education I went to work in Holland and on my return I joined the Fianna Fáil Party. In the later eighties there was an air of despondency and depression in Ireland. High unemployment, poor economic outlook, crippling tax and emigration were the order of the day. While most young people looked on politics with scepticism, I firmly believed that the only way that the ills of society could be remedied was through political action, within a party that had the ability and the numerical advantage to tackle the problems. For that reason Fianna Fáil was the obvious choice.

During my time as a member of the Fianna Fáil organisation I worked at various levels and finally I contested a Fianna Fáil convention in October 1992 and was successful. I was then the youngest General Election Candidate for Fianna Fáil at 24 years of age. When the votes were counted in the November 1992 Election I was 25 votes short of winning a Dáil seat and becoming one of the youngest candidates ever elected to the Dáil. I was subsequently appointed to the Senate by the then Taoiseach Albert Reynolds who wanted to portray a youthful image of Fianna Fáil, where I served as front bench spokesperson on Social Welfare.

During my appointment to the Senate I forcefully highlighted many issues that I felt were not being adequately addressed by the Government. They were as follows,

1. The need to tackle drug and crime culture in our society. This includes the setting up of the Criminal Assets Bureau, the provision of extra prison spaces, proper rehabilitation programs for drug addicts and the overall need to educate both parents and children on the dangers of drug abuse.

2. The need to provide proper job opportunities and infrastructure for Cork.

3.    To protect the living standards of the elderly and to reverse the social exclusion that is felt in some of our communities.

4.     To ensure that the highest educational standards are made available to everybody, in particular in socially deprived areas. This includes the provision of computers and the necessary skilled staff to ensure that many of our young people have basic computer skills.

5.      I genuinely feel that my contribution has helped put the points outlined above, at the top of the political agenda of action. On local issues I was instrumental in the setting up of the ‘Designated Areas’ in Cork with special tax incentives. This was designed to bring life back to parts of the city that were dilapidated, the provision of a new second level school in Glanmire, funding for rural water schemes, the continual lobbying of Government for jobs and more infrastructural development funding for the Cork region.

I felt that it was fundamentally important for the future development of Ireland as a modern vibrant nation that young people are represented in politics and it was for that reason, that I again stood in the General Election of 1996. On this occasion I was part of a historical victory for Fianna Fáil in securing one of three seats in Cork North Central. Indeed this time out I received the highest number of Fianna Fáil first preferences.

Since taking a Dáil seat in 1997 I was appointed Government Whip on the Committee for the Environment and Local Government. I served on the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine and on the Committee on Tourism, Sport and Recreation.

In 1999 I stood in the Local Election and was elected as a member to Cork City Council serving the North East Ward which includes, Mayfield, Silversprings, Montenotte, Tivoli, Lower Glanmire Rd, St. Lukes, Wellington Rd, Ballyhooley Rd, The Glen and the Old Youghal Rd.

I sat on a number of committees such as Roads & Safety, Planning & Development and Recreation & Amenity. I have also served on the joint committee between Cork City Council and Cork County Council. I am also a member of the Airport Consultative Committee.

In May 2002 I was re-elected to Cork North Central following the General Election campaign. Since then I have been appointed as the Deputy Chief Whip of the Government with a wide variety of duties. A challenge that I am enjoying so far! I have maintained my membership of the Environment & Local Government Committee an area that is of great interest to me.

Over the term of the 29th Dáil my basic goals remain the same as in 1997. While Cork has prospered greatly in recent years due to our economic success continual development is essential.

Every Deputy aims to get what they can for their constituency. This lobbying is never more important than it is in times of economic difficulty. I endeavour to use my position to continue to keep Cork to the fore.