ENDA OUT, LEO IN
»Varadkar 4/9 to be the next Taoiseach as Kenny steps down »Pressure grows for General Election to let people decide
THE race is on to find a new Taoiseach after Enda Kenny stepped down as Fine Gael leader. The 66-year-old ended months of speculation and caught his would-be successors by surprise when he quit after 15 years in charge. A bitter battle will now commence between Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar, the 4/9 favourite, and Housing Minister Simon Coveney. An emotional Mr Kenny broke the news to his parliamentary party yesterday. He said: “I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity, until my successor is elected.” His decision to quit will not only lead to a new Taoiseach it increases the chance of a General Election.
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny stepped down as leader of Fine Gael at midnight. After months of speculation, he told Fine Gael colleagues he would quit as party chief, 15 years to the week the last vacancy for the post arose. An emotional Mr Kenny broke the news to his parliamentary party at 4.37pm, telling them it had been a “huge honour and privilege” to have led Fine Gael, before making a hasty exit to be with his family at 4.44pm. He said: “Last year I indicated I would not lead the Fine Gael party into the next General Election. “I have decided to implement that decision today. “Therefore I will retire as leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight. “I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael leadership election process. “I have asked that the Fine Gael executive council expedite this process and have it concluded by close of business on Friday June 2.” But despite the looming leadership contest, all the talk outside Leinster House was that history would remember Mr Kenny well. Just an hour before announcing his departure, he honoured a commitment to appear at the launch of the Finite Lives report into death and bereavement services with Senator Marie-louise O’donnell. Perhaps foreshadowing what was to come, he said: “Five people could be working in a room together for 15 years and then one is gone. “One of my political ambitions was to have a country which was the best in the world in which to be born, reared and pass with dignity and respect.” Mr Kenny has been the longestserving Fine Gael Taoiseach in history and the only one to enjoy back-toback election success. Leo Varadkar, the favourite to succeed him, described his boss as “an extraordinary Taoiseach and Fine Gael’s most successful leader ever”. He said: “He brought Fine Gael from the edge of extinction to its current position as the largest party in the State. He brought Ireland from the brink of bankruptcy back onto the road to prosperity.” Simon Coveney, the man who will push Varadkar the hardest for the vacancy, added Mr Kenny had been “a towering figure in modern Irish history”. He said: “When Enda took over the leadership of our party we were broken and demoralised. “With his vision, determination, positivity and relentless workrate he led our party back from defeat and to sustained electoral success, culminating in victory in the 2011 General Election and a record result for our party. I am proud to have served in Opposition and then in Government with Enda. “I saw at close quarters how skilled and driven he was to succeed for our party, in Government and for our country. “His record in Government since 2011 will be viewed very positively by historians, not least how he led the restoration of our economic financial independence over that period, which was a landmark event.” Although the shocking controversy surrounding the Maurice Mccabe sex smear scandal is seen as the moment Mr Kenny lost his grip on power, his party insisted he had gone “on his own terms”. Deputy Fine Gael leader
Senator James Reilly added: “I think Enda Kenny has proven himself to be one of the outstanding politicians of this century and the last. “He always put the party ahead of himself and the country ahead of the party.” Asked if he had been “forced” from office, Senator Reilly replied: “I don’t believe Enda Kenny was forced. I believe he showed he wouldn’t be forced, held his ground and went when he wished to go, when the work he felt he had to do was done.” Dublin Rathdown TD Josepha Madigan described Mr Kenny’s farewell as “very emotionally charged”. She said: “I think there was a lot of warmth for Enda Kenny in the room. People are talking about history being kind to Enda Kenny. “I think Enda Kenny has been kind to our history and to future generations, their history, in all the work he’s done over the last number of years. “I think it’s going to be a difficult transition for him and the party. We have a leadership race now so hopefully we’ll stay in line and keep fighting the good fight.” Even those who had called for the Taoiseach’s head held their counsel, allowing Mr Kenny to complete his long goodbye. Dublin Fingal TD Alan Farrell, who was the first Fine Gaeler to express no confidence in the Taoiseach, said: “Today is all about Enda Kenny. I’m only appreciative of what he did both for the party and the country.” But he added it was time the party made a “clean break” with the past. Deputy Noel Rock, who had also called for the Taoiseach to go, said the announcement had been “very sharp, very sudden”. He added: “Understandably people were quite moved by the speech. “Certainly the Taoiseach himself was quite emotional, which is understandable. It’s a huge change, more than half his lifetime. His voice certainly broke towards the end.” Jobs Minister Mary Mitchell O’connor said Mr Kenny was a phenomenal party leader, Taoiseach and parliamentarian. She said: “He was one of the few indeed maybe the only politician who had the drive, the skill set and the courage to step up and do the work needed to secure our State. “When needed most, he showed stamina, strength and conviction. “He was the right person for the right job at the right time. We all owe him a debt of gratitude. “And like the great men he succeeded – Garret Fitzgerald, John Bruton and most aptly WT Cosgrave – he will be remembered and respected by history.”
He was only politician who had drive, skills and courage to step up MARY MITCHELL O’CONNOR YESTERDAY
TAOISEACH Enda Kenny’s decision to bow out as Fine Gael chief came as no surprise to many. While Enda was not the most popular leader, he is a genuine and decent man who fought hard to do the best job he could for many years. His passion and determination to make Ireland a better place was present in the way he spoke. He will step aside from his role with the country heading steadily along on the road to better places. Nothing is ever perfect – and Mr Kenny’s reign is proof of this. When he first took the job he was seen as a lightweight, but he soon proved he was a heavyweight in the political ring. And like some of the most remembered fighters, Enda is stepping away from the game while still at the top. The 66-year-old can now look forward to life away from the bright spotlight of the political stage. While his experience in the political field can not be questioned, many will now call for youth to be given a chance.