A below par performance, Enda?

Kenny: My Prime Time showing was like a footballer having an off day

ENDA KENNY last night admitted he had not performed well in his Prime Time interview this week – an admission that will exasperate his handlers.

In the comments he compared his performance to that of a footballer having a bad game. At the Fine Gael national conference in his home town of Castlebar, the Taoiseach made the admission in the wake of an interview in which, critics say, he fudged most of the questions.

At a press conference, Mr Kenny said: ‘It’s a bit like football, some games you play very good and some games you don’t. At the end of the day it is the result that matters. For me, our total effort is focused on the good of our people.’

The interview performance was compounded by the news that over 70,000 more Irish viewers watched EastEnders than Prime Time that evening.

An average of 414,000 people watched the Who Killed Lucy Beale episode of the soap, while 341,000 viewers on average watched Mr Kenny.

The Taoiseach addressed questions over the health of his Finance Minister Michael Noonan after it was revealed that he had undergone eye surgery.

‘I’ve had discussions with Michael about his health,’ he said.

‘He informed me in the beginning of the difficulty he was having before his first operation and he informed me in respect of his current recovery from an eye procedure. I am very happy with Michael Noonan. He has been a solid anchor to this Government.’

In his keynote speech, Mr Kenny made an impassioned plea for a Yes

‘My commitment is that tax cuts will continue’

vote in the referendum on marriage equality, dispelling fears from campaigners that Fine Gael would not put full effort into the campaign.

Security was tight in and around the venue last night, but the 2,000 delegates outnumbered the crowd of around 170 water charge protesters.

Mr Kenny conceded that though recovery is going well it is not trickling down to people as much as some would like.

However Mr Kenny made two firm commitments last night: ‘First – the era of new taxes and charges is over. My commitment to you tonight is that tax cuts to reward hard work and enterprise will continue,’ he said.

‘Second – Ireland must never go back to the culture and practices of speculation, lack of oversight, wanton waste of public money and blatant disregard to our international reputation.’

Meanwhile, a new poll has shown that Fianna Fáil and Labour have lost support. Labour is down two to 7%, Sinn Féin is up one to 21% while Fine Gael holds steady on 24%. The Red C poll for today’s Sunday Business Post puts Fianna Fáil down one point to 18%.