Danny Healy-Rae

Danny Healy-Rae (born 16 July 1954) is an Irish Independent politician who has been a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Kerry constituency since the 2016 general election.[1][2]

Danny Healy-Rae

TD
Teachta Dála
Assumed office
February 2016
ConstituencyKerry
Personal details
Born
Daniel Healy

(1954-07-16) 16 July 1954
Kilgarvan, County Kerry, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyIndependent
Spouse(s)Mary Burke (m. 1985)
Relations
Children4

He is a son of Jackie Healy-Rae and brother of fellow constituency TD Michael Healy-Rae. He has worked in plant hire and owns a pub in Kilgarvan, businesses associated with the Healy-Rae family. Prior to entering national politics, he was a member of Kerry County Council from 2003 to 2016 for the Killarney local electoral area.[3] He gained attention for being in favour of drinking and driving, as a way of reducing rural isolation.[4]

He has publicly denied global warming and opposed Ireland's carbon tax. He stated in the Dáil his belief that "God above is in charge of the weather and that we here cannot do anything about it."[5][6][7]

Healy-Rae is pro-life, and against same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption, calling it unnatural for a gay couple to adopt a child. On the latter he commented, "What was I very worried about – and still am – is that two men, or two women, could adopt a little baby girl or a little baby boy and these babies would have no say in it."[8]

In May 2020, he called for the Leaving Certificate to go ahead with proper social distancing due to COVID-19, possibly using community centres and public libraries.[9] Michael Healy-Rae, on the other hand, called for the 2020 exams to be cancelled.[9]

References
  1. "Danny Healy-Rae". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  2. "Election 2016: Danny Healy-Rae". RTÉ News. 28 February 2016.
  3. "Danny Healy-Rae". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
  4. "Achtung the eejit..." The Herald. 2 July 2013.
  5. "Irish politician Danny Healy-Rae on climate change: 'God above is in charge of the weather and we can't do anything about it'". The Belfast Telegraph. 4 May 2016.
  6. "Danny Healy-Rae labelled 'Ireland's Sarah Palin' after telling Dail climate change debate 'only God controls the weather'". Irish Independent. 4 May 2016.
  7. "Climate Change: Statements (Continued)". Dáil Éireann debates. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  8. Armstrong, Kathy (18 August 2016). "Danny Healy-Rae claims it's not 'natural' for gay couples to have children and he worries for their kids". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
  9. O'Mahoney, John (8 May 2020). "Michael says no but Danny wants exams to proceed". KillarneyToday.com. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
Oireachtas
New constituency Independent Teachta Dála for Kerry
2016–present		 Incumbent
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