Kenny shrugs off poll results on who public want as Taoiseach

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny has shrugged off opinion poll findings that the public is not enthusiastic about the prospects of him becoming the next Taoiseach.

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny has shrugged off opinion poll findings that the public is not enthusiastic about the prospects of him becoming the next Taoiseach.

Mr Kenny was commenting on the fact that while FG are consistently ahead of Fianna Fáil with 30% or more of the vote in several opinion polls stretching back almost 12 months, his own personal ratings have not reflected those of the party.

Mr Kenny told RTÉ radio that the Labour party have kept their options open they are still his desired partners in any future coalition Government.

Mr Kenny said that poor personal ratings for leaders of Fine Gael is nothing new.

The Co Mayo based TD said that he recalled John Bruton’s ratings before he became Taoiseach in 1994, whereas afterwards “they went in a different direction”.

“My leadership style is very different than others. I have delegated responsibility, I use creative talents that people have and put them up front.”

He said that his job is to create a team that will win a General Election.

“In every election that I have fought as leader of this party we have gained both votes and seats. That is the only valid test of leadership for any political leader,” he added.

“This country is in a crisis caused by Fianna Fáil.”

He said that Fine Gael are the only party that can guarantee the people of country that they will put FF out of Government.

Mr Kenny said that he did not agree that his party’s rise in the opinion polls is an anti-FF rather than a pro-Fine Gael vote.

“This is a vote in favour of the kind of policies and ideas that Fine Gael are putting forward,” he added.

He said that people have had enough of the “failed ways of the past.”

In response to claims that other poll findings that public Fine Gael don’t have the answer to the current economic problems Mr Kenny said his party were “hamstrung by the Government’s refusal to co-operate with opposition parties”.

He said that like other Budgets, the Government had not provided information about the options that they are considering to the Opposition parties.

“That is the potential disaster for Tuesday’s Budget,” he added.

In relation to the Labour Party, Mr Kenny said that while he would like to go into Government with them, it was still a matter for them what they want to do.

While he had not commented in relation to a voting alliance between FG and Labour for June’s local and European elections he said that in the absence of such an agreement he called on his party’s supporters to pass on their preferences to Labour candidates when those elections were last held.

He said that FG aim to be the biggest party in the Dáil and become the next Taoiseach, something that Mr Kenny said the party is “on track to do”.

He said that while he respected Eamon Gilmore and the Labour party have kept their options open Mr Kenny said that his agenda was to remove FF from Government.

He said he wanted to put in a government “lead by myself” and FG to implement his party’s programme to bring in efficiencies in the way public services are run and get the get the country back to work.

Mr Kenny also said that FG’s annual conference was not about “government bashing exercise” but rather about creating and protecting jobs and implementing their plans about bringing the country forward.

Mr Kenny said the weekend’s conference was a presentation of “absolute enthusiasm and commitment”.

“What encouraged me as a politician of longstanding were the numbers of young people from all around the country who came to the Árd Fheis who wanted to express their opinion of about the future of the country.”

He said that Fine Gael is now “the party of ideas”, and plans to “turn the country around”.

more courts articles

Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape Stephen Bear ordered to pay back profits from sharing private sex tape
Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told Gary Glitter victim seeking six-figure sum in damages, court told
Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother

More in this section

Irish homelessness Government criticised for missing social and affordable housing targets
National Risk Assessment for Ireland Tánaiste urges Israel ‘to show humanity’ and allow more aid into Gaza
Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality Lego set based on RNLI lifeboat could soon become a reality
War_map
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited