Laois Fine Gael TD and Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan has said political history will remember Enda Kenny’s spell as Taoiseach very kindly.
Speaking to LaoisToday after Enda Kenny announced his decision to step down as leader of Fine Gael, Deputy Flanagan said Kenny “brought the party back from the brink of oblivion”.
The Kenny and Flanagan families go back a number of years. Charlie first encountered Enda in 1975 when he travelled with his father Oliver J to Mayo to a rally ahead of the by-election that year brought about by the death of Enda’s father Henry.
Indeed Henry Kenny’s death triggered a reshuffle at ministerial level that saw Oliver J promoted to the role of Minister for Local Government.
Charlie would replace his father in the Dail in 1987. “I’ve served with Enda Kenny for 30 years and he was a great leader of our party.
“He had boundless energy. He became leader in a time of great challenge and he rose to that challenge.
“He travelled around the country rebuilding the party and as Taoiseach he brought the country back from the brink of financial ruin.
“He also had a deep sense of humanity and compassion and around the cabinet table he was a great leader. He was a great man to diffuse an argument.”
Deputy Flanagan added that they had “soldiered together for many years in opposition”.
“As Minister for Foreign Affairs, I can say he was a strong leader and a great European. He was admired for his resilience and his strong leadership among many European leaders. And I know that because many of them told me so – I’m not going on hearsay.
“It was a great privilege for me to serve with him. I spoke to him on a daily basis and I will miss him from the cabinet table. I want to wish Enda and his family every good health for many years to come.”
With the Fine Gael party facing a leadership contest and a new era, Deputy Flanagan declined to be drawn on what candidate he’ll be backing and ruled out a bid for the top position himself.
“Maybe if it was ten years ago but not now,” he said.
SEE ALSO – A selection of pictures from when Enda came to Laois
