Enda Kenny - Fair Play

gbh

At this time, whatever the final election results, I just want to commend Enda Kenny for the fine campaign he ran and the last five years in general as leader of Fine Geal. He really lifted FG out of the doldrums and helped restore the party's fortunes to a point where they can think about being in government again. His integrity was unquestionable throughout and its sad that people would rather elect someone as Taoiseach who thinks bank accounts are pointless than someone of Enda's integrity. Guess it relects badly on the Irish electorate that we do these things.

Marshy

I'm just glad people haven't voted this eejit into power. At least the country wont be the laughing stock of europe without the prince charles of castlebar in power.

His whole campaign was cringe-worthy tbh. The pictures of him with the hurl and dancing with the oul ones summed it up.

Come on FF-Green coalition

AidoCQS

gbh wrote:

At this time, whatever the final election results, I just want to commend Enda Kenny for the fine campaign he ran and the last five years in general as leader of Fianna Geal. He really lifted FG out of the doldrums and helped restore the party's fortunes to a point where they can think about being in government again. His integrity was unquestionable throughout and its sad that people would rather elect someone as Taoiseach who thinks bank accounts are pointless than someone of Enda's integrity. Guess it relects badly on the Irish electorate that we do these things.

Here, here

Even if you look back at the leaders debate, Bertie lowered the tone of it scoffing him and simply being dishonest. Enda has his integrety intact.

The Muppet

gbh wrote:

At this time, whatever the final election results, I just want to commend Enda Kenny for the fine campaign he ran and the last five years in general as leader of Fianna Geal. He really lifted FG out of the doldrums and helped restore the party's fortunes to a point where they can think about being in government again. His integrity was unquestionable throughout and its sad that people would rather elect someone as Taoiseach who thinks bank accounts are pointless than someone of Enda's integrity. Guess it relects badly on the Irish electorate that we do these things.

Enda has to shoulder most of the blame for the fall off in support for a change in government. His poor performace in the debate was the beginning of the end for his chances.

Look at the exit poll the majority preferred FG/Labour Government yet Ahern was by far the most popular choice for Taoiseach. Enda may well have been the right man to turn the tide but he is just not Taoiseach material. I would be surprised to see him contest the next election as Leader of FG.

burnedfaceman

i also agree the country shall be much the poorer with another term of the crook from drumcondra, at least kenny possesses the ability to speak in public without coming across like a bumbling fool. only consalation of FF being in power again will be that they will have to face the music when economy goes into recession and property bubbles pops.

gandalf

Marshy wrote:

I'm just glad people haven't voted this eejit into power. At least the country wont be the laughing stock of europe without the prince charles of castlebar in power.

His whole campaign was cringe-worthy tbh. The pictures of him with the hurl and dancing with the oul ones summed it up.

Come on FF-Green coalition

Yeah we just have a chancer who didn't even have a bank account when he was Minister for Finance.

A man whose boss at the time stated he would have fired him if he had knowledge of the "loans" and "appearance monies" that he recieved.

Yeah we aren't a laughing stock alright :rolleyes:

Sully

gbh wrote:

At this time, whatever the final election results, I just want to commend Enda Kenny for the fine campaign he ran and the last five years in general as leader of Fine Geal. He really lifted FG out of the doldrums and helped restore the party's fortunes to a point where they can think about being in government again. His integrity was unquestionable throughout and its sad that people would rather elect someone as Taoiseach who thinks bank accounts are pointless than someone of Enda's integrity. Guess it relects badly on the Irish electorate that we do these things.

Agreed.

I think he was to nice and clam to Bertie in the debate, and then after that FF turned into complete dirty politics to make sure FG got whipped in the polls. Going around getting pictures with Tony Blair and Bill Clinton is just Bertie trying to appear to be "the perfect leader" as he is associated and supported by them. That was unfair politics.

FG were told they played unfairly - I dont think so at all. FF turned on them towards the end and FG were helpless.

Good work this time around FG - stick with it, you may have a good chance in 5 years time

radioman

Even though I have utmost respect for the man and his values, Enda Kenny was never over the past 5 years a credible leader of the opposition, and showed no sign he would make a great Taoiseach. His constant referrals to his 'contract' over the past few weeks of campaigning did nothing for his credibility.

Fine Gael needs a great leader and statesman if they are ever to gain enough support in years to come. Unfortunately for them, Enda Kenny fell down in the 'great leader' stakes.

gbh

Marshy wrote:

I'm just glad people haven't voted this eejit into power. At least the country wont be the laughing stock of europe without the prince charles of castlebar in power.

His whole campaign was cringe-worthy tbh. The pictures of him with the hurl and dancing with the oul ones summed it up.

Come on FF-Green coalition

But he has integrity...and he makes sense when he speaks...which is something we need in our leaders...

Marshy

Seems to be some clutching of straws by the Fine gaelers now that they've realised they're beaten once again. Having to look at bertie's "flaws" rather than enda's good points or lack thereof.

Cyrus

gandalf wrote:

Yeah we just have a chancer who didn't even have a bank account when he was Minister for Finance.

A man whose boss at the time stated he would have fired him if he had knowledge of the "loans" and "appearance monies" that he recieved.

Yeah we aren't a laughing stock alright :rolleyes:

yeah we are a laughing stock alright what with years of unprecedented economic growth.

Do yet not get it lads, despite some of the scandals the fact is that FF have presided over the best decade Ireland has seen, of course they will be back in and rightly so.

BeatNikDub

burnedfaceman wrote:

i also agree the country shall be much the poorer with another term of the crook from drumcondra, at least kenny possesses the ability to speak in public without coming across like a bumbling fool. only consalation of FF being in power again will be that they will have to face the music when economy goes into recession and property bubbles pops.

HEAR HEAR

Miss Fluff

radioman wrote:

Fine Gael needs a great leader and statesman if they are ever to gain enough support in years to come. Unfortunately for them, Enda Kenny fell down in the 'great leader' stakes.

Probably because he looks and speaks like a gombeen gobsh1te.

gbh

Miss Fluff wrote:

Probably because he looks and speaks like a gombeen gobsh1te.

Bit harsh, bordering on libelous almost...i think your post should be deleted by the powers that be...

Can't you try and be a bit circumspect or gracious or something instead of just being offensive...if you have nothing constructive to say, then say nothing...

Miss Fluff

gbh wrote:

Can't you try and be a bit circumspect or gracious or something instead of just being offensive...if you have nothing constructive to say, then say nothing...

My comment was perfectly constructive. I thought the concept of Boards was about freedom of speech in any event. I have an opinion and I posted it, just because you were banking on receiving exclusively sycophantic plaudits to the man in question, don't freak out sweetie.

whippet

burnedfaceman wrote:

i also agree the country shall be much the poorer with another term of the crook from drumcondra,

The quote about Kenny wasn't as harsh as this posters opinion.

BMH

gbh wrote:

Bit harsh, bordering on libelous almost...i think your post should be deleted by the powers that be...

Can't you try and be a bit circumspect or gracious or something instead of just being offensive...if you have nothing constructive to say, then say nothing...

Hah, he's right though. His May-woah accent is worst then Bertie's and he was hopeless at the debate.

jmayo

Cyrus wrote:

yeah we are a laughing stock alright what with years of unprecedented economic growth.

Do yet not get it lads, despite some of the scandals the fact is that FF have presided over the best decade Ireland has seen, of course they will be back in and rightly so.

Yeah well lets see how you like their economic boom when you or your kids nice 40 year mortgaged house drops 30/40% in value.
That is the great ****ing economic boom they have presided over lats 5 years.
Or maybe you are one of their developer buddies that has screwed the rest of us.

gbh

I aint freaking out...I'm perfectly calm on this....just, if someone lost an all ireland final, you wouldnt insult them or would ya...fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion, but it is an opinion remember and not a fact that you stated...my opinion is different to yours and I think of Enda in a positive light and as someone who has been a credit to Irish politics in the last five years...

gandalf

Miss Fluff wrote:

I thought the concept of Boards was about freedom of speech in any event.

You are wrong there is no freedom of speech here. Its a dictatorship with Laura Ashley curtains

shoegirl

AidoCQS wrote:

Here, here

Even if you look back at the leaders debate, Bertie lowered the tone of it scoffing him and simply being dishonest. Enda has his integrety intact.

From what I saw of it, Enda debated, and Bertie just shouted him down.
It reminded me of the Philosphical society in TCD circa early 90s. It was not a great debate. I was amazed to see the media handing Bertie victory for simply shouting his opponent down. Then again, no doubt, there are plenty of "Bertie's Friends" are there too . . .

BMH

gbh wrote:

I aint freaking out...I'm perfectly calm on this....just, if someone lost an all ireland final, you wouldnt insult them or would ya...fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion, but it is an opinion remember and not a fact that you stated...my opinion is different to yours and I think of Enda in a positive light and as someone who has been a credit to Irish politics in the last five years...

You accused him of libel and asked the mods to delete his post because he correctly identified a boggerus boggerus.

gandalf

I am no fan of Mr Kenny but it has to be conceeded he picked a party up that 5 years ago looked finished, that was being written off by everyone and revitalised it. I will be honest he didn't look like leader of the country material but in my opinion he was far superior to the eejit that was in charge of us (and that was before the financial questions came to light!).

gbh

Marshy wrote:

Seems to be some clutching of straws by the Fine gaelers now that they've realised they're beaten once again. Having to look at bertie's "flaws" rather than enda's good points or lack thereof.

A facial tick is a flaw, a short leg is a flaw...but taking money left right and centre when you are minister for finance from private citizens and not declaring it immediately to the revenue commishioners and waiting until you are exposed by a tribunal is something much more serious than a mere "flaw".

The sad thing is I can't even be sued for libel by saying these things because they are all TRUE and public knowledge!

Dyr

So are people talking about enda in the past tense already?

As for the booming doozer economy FF have created on the backs of non nationals...guess what lads? A lot of those boyos will have the vote in 5-10 years and they wont be voting for parties with gaelic names :eek:

Miss Fluff

BMH wrote:

You accused him of libel and asked the mods to delete his post because he correctly identified a boggerus boggerus.

I'm a she!

Thomas_S_Hunterson

burnedfaceman wrote:

at least kenny possesses the ability to speak in public without coming across like a bumbling fool.

You're joking right?

gbh

shoegirl wrote:

From what I saw of it, Enda debated, and Bertie just shouted him down.
It reminded me of the Philosphical society in TCD circa early 90s. It was not a great debate. I was amazed to see the media handing Bertie victory for simply shouting his opponent down. Then again, no doubt, there are plenty of "Bertie's Friends" are there too . . .

Agreed...one side tried to play fair, the other tried dirty tricks and underhanded tactics while the ref turned a blind eye...if it was a football match Bertie would have been red carded...

burnedfaceman

no i i i am not joking de de de taosieach is a a competent public speaker:D

Thomas_S_Hunterson

gbh wrote:

Bit harsh, bordering on libelous almost...i think your post should be deleted by the powers that be...

Can't you try and be a bit circumspect or gracious or something instead of just being offensive...if you have nothing constructive to say, then say nothing...

Don't be silly, and have a look at some of the FGer posts aout Bertie.

Libel doesn't even come into the equation.

BeatNikDub

burnedfaceman wrote:

no i i i am not joking de de de taosieach is a a competent public speaker:D

lol - the Phoenix magazine sums its up perfectly in de Taoiseach diarys.

gbh

ok, but, i don't think its right to be calling somone names without foundation and where they are not in a position to defend themselves...if Bertie lost, I wouldn't be kicking him while he was down...

Grow up, kids

gbh wrote:

Bit harsh, bordering on libelous almost...i think your post should be deleted by the powers that be...

Can't you try and be a bit circumspect or gracious or something instead of just being offensive...if you have nothing constructive to say, then say nothing...

Yet you let burnedfaceman refer to our Taoiseach as 'the crook from Drumcondra'?

Terrible double standards on your behalf, gbh.

BMH

gbh wrote:

Nope, I condemn all acts of destructive and gratuatous criticism equally...

Christ...

gbh

Nope, I condemn all acts of destructive and gratuatous criticism equally...

The Muppet

gbh wrote:

Bit harsh, bordering on libelous almost...i think your post should be deleted by the powers that be...

Can't you try and be a bit circumspect or gracious or something instead of just being offensive...if you have nothing constructive to say, then say nothing...

Libelous , I think not, but calling someone a crook certainly could be defamatory.

gbh wrote:

A facial tick is a flaw, a short leg is a flaw...but taking money left right and centre when you are minister for finance from private citizens and not declaring it immediately to the revenue commishioners and waiting until you are exposed by a tribunal is something much more serious than a mere "flaw".



The sad thing is I can't even be sued for libel by saying these things because they are all TRUE and public knowledge!

They are obviously not a serious issue for the majority as we are witnessing today.

gbh

Anyways, continuing with my theme, I hope Enda stays on as leader whatever happens...He definately has earned it...I don't think any one else on the front bench could do as electorally well as Enda has done.

Even if they are not in government you would have to agree this election has been a success for them in the context of where they are coming from and hopefully a platform to build on and oust the FF shower.

Miss Fluff

gbh wrote:

Anyways, continuing with my theme, I hope Enda stays on as leader whatever happens...He definately has earned it...I don't think any one else on the front bench could do as electorally well as Enda has done.

Even if they are not in government you would have to agree this election has been a success for them in the context of where they are coming from and hopefully a platform to build on and oust the FF shower.

Is that you Enda?;)

gbh

Miss Fluff wrote:

Is that you Enda?;)

Good one

Hotblack Desiato

Bambi wrote:

So are people talking about enda in the past tense already?

he's as good as gone

As for the booming doozer economy FF have created on the backs of non nationals...guess what lads? A lot of those boyos will have the vote in 5-10 years

No they won't, not unless they obtain citizenship and if they have permanent right to remain, or are EU citizens, there's no real point.

DeepBlue

ninja900 wrote:

he's as good as gone

It's very difficult to see how you could claim that.
FG has done very well out of the election and will gain a lot of seats. Like him or loathe him a lot of that is down to Kenny.
Now if Labour had a say in the matter they would probably hope to see him gone as they seem to be the ones suffering from the FG/Lab pact.

Outside of the debate (where he performed poorly) it's hard to see where he performed badly over the course of the campaign or where another FG leader would have done better.

Gumbyman

In all fairness, Bertie highlighting his international record is hardly a dirty trick now is it? He is respected by most other World leaders for his ability. The thought of Enda Kenny being the spokesman for Ireland has kept me awake at night for this past week.

Bertie won the debate. There was something very contrived about Enda's performance. Bertie tore into the contract and exposed it. Anybody who says Enda Kenny won that debate is dellusional.

Dirty tricks - leaking confidential information at an opportune time isn't playing fair.

Media in favour of FF? Get real. I'd say nearly every single day there were blatently biased articles and headlines in most national papers.

FG did the best they could in fairness - the dirty tricks and scandal made for a good start, the 'contract' sounded reasonable and they looked like a viable alternative for a while. It didn't take people long to see through it though and once the dust settled and a little clarity crept in things swung back again.
If the campaign was a week or two shorter we'd be staring down the barrel of an Enda Kenny lead government.

radioman

DeepBlue wrote:

it's hard to see where he performed badly over the course of the campaign or where another FG leader would have done better.

He failed miserably in capitalising on the Governments biggest failure - the health service

DeepBlue

radioman wrote:

He failed miserably in capitalising on the Governments biggest failure - the health service

You're assuming the health service is an issue for voters. They might say it is but that's not the same thing .
Once they have enough money to buy private health insurance and so can go to the top of the queue then voters don't care about it.

One of the things this election proves is that Health is no longer an issue that the majority of voters care about.
If they are given a choice between an improved Health Service or more money in their pocket then the latter will win every time.

AidoCQS

Enda will be there the next time, he will make it hard for Biffo

The Muppet

DeepBlue wrote:

You're assuming the health service is an issue for voters. They might say it is but that's not the same thing .
Once they have enough money to buy private health insurance and so can go to the top of the queue then voters don't care about it.

One of the things this election proves is that Health is no longer an issue that the majority of voters care about.
If they are given a choice between an improved Health Service or more money in their pocket then the latter will win every time.

It says that the voters were not convinced that the Heath service would be improved under a new government. Enda wasn't very convincing on his costings when pushed on the issue.

Thomas_S_Hunterson

DeepBlue wrote:

You're assuming the health service is an issue for voters. They might say it is but that's not the same thing .
Once they have enough money to buy private health insurance and so can go to the top of the queue then voters don't care about it.

One of the things this election proves is that Health is no longer an issue that the majority of voters care about.
If they are given a choice between an improved Health Service or more money in their pocket then the latter will win every time.

FInally someone talking a bit of sense re the health service.

Public health car, anywhere in the world is never 'up to scratch' and evryone always complains about it.

The fact is it will never be perfect, nor should it ever be perfect. Let's not forget the dangers of communism:rolleyes:

Cyrus

Cyrus wrote:

Do yet not get it lads, despite some of the scandals the fact is that FF have presided over the best decade Ireland has seen, of course they will be back in and rightly so.

Yes the great decade where the population of my village stay static while 300 hundred apartments were built in it.
Where more than likely,I will have to emigrate to get a good job in my degree(Science)
Where the Fianna Fail party is arrogant to the point that they think all other parties are below(Brian Cowen laughing at Richard Bruton on Prime Time this week.)
Where the politicians seem fit to allow areas with pre 1950's water schemes left behind in the doldrums ie Galway and Ennis.
Where if you are located west of the Shannon you will get no developmental help from the government.
Where people support Fianna Fail because there parents did.
Where from what I hear,Fianna Fail want to reintroduce third level fees
Where we get loads of tax concessions but more stealth tax.
Where we can't even give .7% of our GDP to developing countries despite "Having the best decade ever".
Where people who have drunk drive less than three years ago endangering peoples lives on a motorway is now cheered on as he keeps his seat.

What has Fianna Fail done for North Leitrim,Cavan,Monaghan and Mayo?

Thomas_S_Hunterson

Deleted User wrote:

Yes the great decade where the population of my village stay static while 300 hundred apartments were built in it.

It wasn't your money that was wasted, it was some developer's

Deleted User wrote:

Where more than likely,I will have to emigrate to get a good job in my degree(Science)

There's loads of jobs in science in Ireland.

Deleted User wrote:

Where the Fianna Fail party is arrogant to the point that they think all other parties are below(Brian Cowen laughing at Richard Bruton on Prime Time this week.)

Our opposition is terrible. They have very little experience in politics.

Deleted User wrote:

Where if you are located west of the Shannon you will get no developmental help from the government.

Not true

Deleted User wrote:

Where people support Fianna Fail because there parents did.

As is the case with every political party in Ireland and the world

Deleted User wrote:

Where we get loads of tax concessions but more stealth tax.

Every party planned to introduce tax cuts, where we clearly don't need them and they would all have to be followed by more stealth tax, regardless of who was in power

Deleted User wrote:

Where we can't even give .7% of our GDP to developing countries despite "Having the best decade ever".

Well you seem to be complaining a lot about things in Ireland not being up to scratch so perhaps we'd be better off sorting ourselves out first.

Deleted User wrote:

Where people who have drunk drive less than three years ago endangering peoples lives on a motorway is now cheered on as he keeps his seat.

We all make mistakes. If he's good at his job, why shouldn't he retain his seat.

Deleted User wrote:

What has Fianna Fail done for North Leitrim,Cavan,Monaghan and Mayo?

What have you done for North Leitrim,Cavan,Monaghan and Mayo?
If there was sufficient population there to vindcate the spending of vast amount of public funds, they would be spent, however places with more people have to be prioritised as money spent in these places is spent more efficiently.

OPENROAD

radioman wrote:

Even though I have utmost respect for the man and his values, Enda Kenny was never over the past 5 years a credible leader of the opposition, and showed no sign he would make a great Taoiseach. His constant referrals to his 'contract' over the past few weeks of campaigning did nothing for his credibility.

Fine Gael needs a great leader and statesman if they are ever to gain enough support in years to come. Unfortunately for them, Enda Kenny fell down in the 'great leader' stakes.

Agree re "the contrac", that really started to bug me. I think it is a shame that it looks like FG could not take advantage of the waste by FF over the last 10 years and despite the seat gain by FG, Kenny is no leader I'm afraid, I thought Steve Staunton was dull but...

is_that_so

ninja900 wrote:

he's as good as gone

Richard Bruton , the FG VP, has already said Kenny will be there at the next election as leader of the party. From their point of view he has revitalised the party and looks likely to preside over an increase in the party's seats of 60%.