[Sand]

The Irish government has apparently little or no options - everything is delivered as a done deal, with no reasonable alternatives. Therefore the government doesn't have to actually govern, just administer the country whilst implementing directives from the Troika.

Under such limited conditions, its fair enough to say Enda Kenny has done a relatively average job. But then, if the job is only to administer, anyone could do it. The real governance decisions are being made by the Troika.

Enda Kenny's government has had its fair share of scrapes though - its communication policy in 2011 was *woeful*, with FG coming out and saying X, and then Labour rushing out to denounce X and to underline no decision had been made. Kenny's flip flopped from telling a home audience that it wasn't their fault, before rushing to Switzerland to tell anyone who would listen that it actually was the average Irish persons fault. His ministers were raked over the coals for daring to whisper a second bailout was required. As late a Jan 2012 Kenny assured an audience in London that no second bailout was required for Ireland. Now his ministers are running around telling everyone that a second bailout will be required.

Generally speaking, Kenny has done okay by meeting or barely exceeding extremely low expectations of him. Irish taoisigh always benefit from the fawning devotion the media have to their position - look at Cowen and the way his arrival on the scene was hailed in 2008. Kenny was always the baggage that Fine Gael was dragging along with it. He hasn't been as bad as his detractors might have feared, thats about the best that can be said.

[jwilco]

Bar his speech to the nation the rest of the time he can't be trusted and is just Olli Rehn lapdog. He support for Brady is wrong.

[Pete_Cavan]

Originally Posted by Sand

The Irish government has apparently little or no options - everything is delivered as a done deal, with no reasonable alternatives. Therefore the government doesn't have to actually govern, just administer the country whilst implementing directives from the Troika.

The deal with the Troika stipulates that we must introduce a property tax and a charge for drinking water. These can be done in a number of different ways. The Irish government has two general options; the right way and the wrong way. It is up to Enda and the boys to make that call.

[K-9]

Don't think polls are allowed in Irish Economy, I'll check out if there is anything the Admins can do.

Also could we stop references like lick arse, After Hours is there if you want to be "expressive" like that.

[enda1]

Why is a thread on the Taoiseach's success under the sub forum of Irish Economy? Surely he has more of a remit than purely a domestic economic one?

[Dannyboy83]

I vividly remember how embarrassing Brian Cowen was as Taoiseach, so Kenny still easily outperformed him, despite a whole host of issues which I can't even be bothered to go into.

However, the Olivia Mitchell scandal was simply a step too far.
It makes what was a strong performance in tackling the Catholic church, seem almost pythonesque in light of that little stroke.

Unfortunately, they crossed the rubicon with that manoeuvre.

[Oscar Bravo]

Was down the local recently(In Castlebar) and was at the bar waiting for Guinness to be topped up when i heard a local man say "The only thing kenny did for this town was get the Railway Station painted,and he made a C*** of that!!"

[K-9]

Originally Posted by enda1

Why is a thread on the Taoiseach's success under the sub forum of Irish Economy? Surely he has more of a remit than purely a domestic economic one?

Thread moved, got distracted with the poll thing!

[Richard Hillman]

Fine Gael wont be getting my vote if there were an election tomorrow because i wont be able to vote for Sean Barrett (Ceann Comhairle) and Mary Mitchell-O'Connor has no interest in anything else other than womens issues, therefore she wont represent me.

Saying that, if there were an election tomorrow I would hope Fine Gael as a whole win with a majority, with Enda Kenny as taoiseach.

[WolfgangWeisen]

Originally Posted by Richard Hillman

Fine Gael wont be getting my vote if there were an election tomorrow because i wont be able to vote for Sean Barrett (Ceann Comhairle) and Mary Mitchell-O'Connor has no interest in anything else other than womens issues, therefore she wont represent me.

Saying that, if there were an election tomorrow I would hope Fine Gael as a whole win with a majority, with Enda Kenny as taoiseach.

It genuinely saddens me to think of how much stronger the party would be with Barry Ward, the person who was meant to run until O'Connor was put in his place merely to run a woman. She's an embarrassment and her carry on at recent FG events has been nothing short of cringeworthy. She has reportedly desperately approached any woman attending the events and asked them if they'd be interested in running for FG in the future. Simply because they're a woman.

FG HQ stepping in, after Barry Ward had been chosen to run democratically in the party, and replacing him with a woman just to run a woman, is something that I'll never get over. It's not something I would stop voting for them over, but it would absolutely make me question the quality of any woman running for FG now and in the future.

[Scofflaw]

Moving this to the Café, and questioning whether it was ever going to be a serious thread. If the quality doesn't improve, the thread will be closed, because AH won't take ex-Politics threads.

Polls are not an option generally available in the Politics forums, because they're essentially meaningless, and are often a substitute for a decent OP and a good discussion.

moderately,
Scofflaw

[Sarky]

Originally Posted by c_man

We set such high standards for our leaders!

I did say relatively well. He's doing a far better job than the last 2-3 guys, but that's a bit like saying Uwe Boll has really improved as a film maker; while technically true, his latest films are still shoddy, badly-written, poorly-directed low-budget and instantly forgettable.

[Hawkeye123]

Originally Posted by Nothingbetter2d

Do you think Enda Kenny is good at being our Taoiseach

Enda Kenny is the best of an appalling lot. Michael O`Leary would be the ideal Taoiseach.

[Kristopherus]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye123

Enda Kenny is the best of an appalling lot. Michael O`Leary would be the ideal Taoiseach.

Michael O'Leary, politician, died about 20 years ago. Michael O'Leary, the businessman is still alive and very good at what he does. As a politician, however, he don't know his ass from his elbow

[Hawkeye123]

Originally Posted by Kristopherus

Michael O'Leary, the businessman is still alive and very good at what he does. As a politician, however, he don't know his ass from his elbow

We have seen what politicians have done to the country. Ireland Inc needs a businessman to run it. Since Politicians are incapable of running the country we need to find another use for them - suggestions welcome.