Fine Gael leader has today expressed his sadness at the decision by George Lee to quit the party and resign his seat in Dáil Éireann.
“I'm greatly saddened by George Lee's decision to resign from Fine Gael and politics just eight months into his new Dáil career,” said Kenny.
“I had anticipated a very important role for George in the coming period with Fine Gael after a time of settling into a new career in politics.”
Mr Kenny said the former journalist was due to attend the international economic body the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) this week as part of senior Fine Gael delegation.
“Regrettably that, and other developments, will not now happen after George’s decision,” Mr Kenny said.
The party leader said at a time when a General Election seems imminent, Mr Lee played a key role in chairing Fine Gael’s business and economic forums around the country before Christmas.
“These played an integral part in planning our pre-Budget submission,” Mr Kenny said.
“George, along with our other economic spokesmen, planned and presented that Fine Gael position to the media at Budget time.”