BUSINESS AS USUAL An Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in Balla on Monday afternoon to officially open Balla Town Park Community Woodland. Back row, from left: Shaun Dempsey, John Dempsey, Joe Vaughan, Declan Hughes, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny holding young David Bourke, Bernie Jennings, Andrew Doyle, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibilites
for forestry; Jimmy Broderick, Brendan Burke, Tony Dempsey and Danny Bourke. The children pictured in the front row are, from left: Gearoid Dempsey, Lauren Dempsey, Veronica Jennings, Harry Bourke and Peter Bourke. Pic: Kathy Lyons
Ciara Galvin
AN Taoiseach Enda Kenny was in high spirits in Mayo yesterday (Monday), despite growing pressure to step down. However, while attending the opening of Balla Town Park Community Woodland, he declined to comment on the ongoing saga.
A large crowd gathered outside Balla Community Centre, including local and national media, as the Taoiseach was welcomed into the hall with applause and a rendition of ‘Shoe the Donkey’ by local musicians.
Mr Kenny avoided answering direct media questions, but seemed in high spirits, even making light of speculation about his political fate.
“Fr Denis [Carney] said a very ecumenical blessing, and he gave me a blessing while he was at it,” said Kenny, much to the amusement of the packed hall.
And while planting an oak tree at the new woodland amenity, he assured those gathered that the spade he was holding was to dig a hole for the tree — not for himself.
Distraction
Speaking to The Mayo News at the event, Fine Gael colleague Senator John O’Mahony said he believed Mr Kenny handled last week’s motion of no confidence ‘fairly well’.
Senator O’Mahony said he thinks there was a degree of panic after last week’s parliamentary meeting, which ‘didn’t help’.
“I think it’s important that we give the Taoiseach the time and the space. A spokesman has clarified that he will address all the issues on Wednesday, and I think that’s important. I think the suggestion of some that he should step down Wednesday night would be absolutely ridiculous from a logistics point of view, from a country point of view,” said O’Mahony.
He went on to explain that government ministers will be promoting Ireland all around the world for St Patrick’s Day, and that the public and media would accuse Fine Gael of distracting from that message.
O’Mahony believes the Taoiseach’s departure should be done in a ‘dignified and orderly fashion’ and that he deserves credit for decisions made on behalf of the country during his political career.
“I look forward to calm being restored. Let’s see what he has to say on Wednesday night.”
Asked about a successor to Mr Kenny if he steps down, O’Mahony said it would be disrespectful to comment on any of the candidates. He added that speculation around Kenny’s possible departure has ‘distracted’ from the setting up of the Garda whistleblower tribunal.
Unfortunate
Fianna Fáil TD Lisa Chambers also believes the leadership speculation has distracted from other issues, such as hospital trolley numbers, the homeless crisis and Brexit.
“I think it’s unfortunate that it has come to this, the way it has happened. At the end of the day, he is still a Mayo man and has given many years of service. There are allegations that maybe he hasn’t delivered as much as he could have for the county, but that’s beside the point,” said Chambers, adding that Fine Gael could be conducting its leadership contest in a more dignified and respectful manner.
Deputy Chambers also said that the Government has been too focused on ‘internal politics’ and needs to ‘get their act together’.
“They have a responsibility to govern, and I don’t believe they are doing that properly at the moment. When he goes or doesn’t go, I don’t think it really matters. Get back to the issues,” said Ms Chambers.
Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly said the discussion about a future successor when Mr Kenny decides to step down should be done behind closed doors. “The parliamentary party meeting is the place to discuss it, public conversations are not helpful,” he said.
Cllr Munnelly believes Mr Kenny should be given the chance to outline a timeline that would allow him deal with projects he wants to close out. A heave should be avoided, he said, as it would lead to divisions within the party. The party will need to get behind the next leader, he added.
