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The Daily PollTHE FINAL WEEK of the Dáil term was a big one for Taoiseach Enda Kenny. He secured a long-awaited reduction on Ireland’s bailout interest rate at the Eurozone summit, as well as launching a stinging attack on the Vatican over its handling of child abuse allegations.
The actions drew widespread praise for Mr Kenny even across the opposition benches, and a poll put his popularity at an all-time high. However, they come hot on the heels of angry protests over the closure of Roscommon hospital emergency department, which sparked the first backbench rebellion of the Fine Gael/Labour government. There has also been public anger over cuts to Special Needs teaching posts and rural school transport services.
So at the end of the government’s first Dáil term, we’re asking: How do you rate Enda Kenny’s performance in office so far?
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He was basically handed a basket case of a country…doing great all things considered. He is pulling us back slowly but surely.
Things are significantly worse this year then last and getting worse and yes they were handed a basket case but there were different paths that should have been took and were not they have continued down the same old path as FF.All we can look forward to is the bottom and at least then we can get rid of these fools and move on in the mean time watch them criminalise the working classes.
He’s not embarassing.
Very well said. Haven’t agreed with much of what’s he’s done, but he is the first Taoiseach in a good while that I’m not actually ashamed of.
He’s a lot less embarrassing than I though he would be.
The plagiarism of the first speech (Obama’s)aside, he’s delivered two great speeches.
More importantly, he’s given Rome the good kick in its sanctimonious bollox that it deserved.
Is past time that Irish Christianity went back to the independent roots it had before that English toe rag Edward II started annoying us on behalf of the Rome mafia.
But this time it must be subject to the law of the land, and not be able to avail of the stay out jail clause of Canon Law.
Sorry , It makes me laugh that you even blame Catholicism on the English! Come on now, please! Edward II was a long long time ago. Self awareness would be a great asset!
people wont be happy with any kind of progress until they can wipe their arse with money again it seems.
OK, lets clarify, Mr Kenny secured nothing from EU…..EU panicked due to a worsening crisis and loosened the grip slightly but make no mistake this will cost us, the tax payer more. Tax!!! holy hell, everything has gone up, petrol, heating fuel, food, all the basics!!! Yes VAT came down…on luxuries like hotels, dining out, but who can afford the spend spend spend advice from the Government? I can tell you it is those ticking the excellent / good box in the poll above, I recommend you check the fridges or the bank accounts of the 19% ticking poor, I guarantee they are empty. Yes he did give out to the Church, credit due there, but I must state that only actions by the state will clear this mess once and for all, and not just with the church, with every individual who feels they have the right to steal someones child hood and hurt them profoundly. Talk also of our corporate tax being back on the table at EU level…..This I believe will be the downfall of MR Kenny! I expect he will cave in on it under the guise of —- Having no Choice—- watch this space all, if this does happen, then we will have the measure of Mr Kenny.
Oh and as for the EU, they upgraded from a plaster to a bandage but I feel the infection is so bad that only amputation will actually cure the rot that is EU finances.
Excellent and true comment Mary :)
One of the few sensible comments on here. Looking at the result of the poll so far either FG/Lab HQ is very busy clicking or there are an awful lot of very gullible people in this country. No doubt at the next election they’ll still be coming out with the we didn’t cause it and we didn’t have time to fix it excuse. Anyone who thinks Enda got anything from the EU is a fool. Before the likelihood of contagion to Italy and Spain appeared, not an inch did he get from Berlin & Paris. The need for the Greek bailout gave him a chance to improve things, yet he managed to come back with a deal that may well cost us more in the long run and which puts a Common Tax Base on the table. Consumer sentiment has never been worse, low paid workers are no longer protected and we’re about to be hit with new taxes left right and centre. Yeah that’s definitely a good job, NOT!
Gee Richard I do hope it is FG / LB ticking….I really do hope…We the Irish citizens are not that gullible …..MJ.
Excellent job. Renegotiated the bail out terms, interest rates. Condemned the Catholic church. First act was lowering his and the TDs salaries. Lowered vat and put forward a modest jobs initiative. So far, so great.
Bollox! Whos arse are you licking in the government, your on here everyday bigging them up when in actual fact they are nothing but a disgrace, just like the last lot. A bunch of liars, cheats and greedy scumbags!! You and they rest of the sheep in this country need to wise up of fuck off because its people like you that have us where we are and blindly keep us there by voting the likes of these pricks back into government.
Did you look at the Expenses list for the first few months of their term?
Makes for shocking reading….The strategy seems to be…We will call it something else but dont worry, you wont loose out!!!
Meanwhile the ordinary guy on the street looses out at every turn….
Yes I did Mary..they should all be very ashamed…yet most of the sheep commenting here wont have bothered to check what expenses they are claiming. This shower are as bad as the last crowd for taking care of themselves and not caring about anyone else.
don,t like the manner in which you put your point across but if you put it more sussuccinctly i agee with you point,s i also understand your anger and daniel have to say it as well it is your kind that keeps us in the mess we,re in are you looking for a place in the seanad calm down glen your blood pressure will cause you problems
Hee hee….how is your blood pressure Glen???
why is excellent even an option?
So people like I can press it.
Surly you mean ‘sheep’ like you Luke!!
@Glenn
Well it must be a pretty small herd considering it only got 25% of the vote. In fact that would make me an outstanding individual.
It is only excellent in comparison to what we had before! realistically he is just ok. He’s doing his job and everyone is relieved with that. It was so bad before that everyone is so happy to have someone like him.
Exactly the same as the previous spoofer party, lies and half truths and nothing done to date. Don’t be fooled by the “fantastic reduction” the EU is just looking after the pennies, the decision was made on the heels of the decision to bail Greece out. Dump the Euro it is the biggest con job ever pulled on the Irish people next to the Brian’s bargain sale of Ireland to the Germans and the Brits.
Jeez Joe,
I don’t know what Ireland you are living in.
What was your expectation after 8 months ?? That the complete destruction and bankruptcy of our country would be resolved ??
And I love the “Dump the Euro” call. What would you do after you dump the Euro ?
I believe we expected Transparency, Honesty, Reform, Clarity, Political System working for the citizens, none of these have happened. Minister / TD expenses list for first half of the year, shocking, each have claimed what would help 2 families survive for a year….there is no excuse, explanation or need for this in these difficult times!!!
Watch this space….worse it will get…
We wouldn’t be servants of the EU if we could manage to look after our own financial affairs, we complain about the EU interfering but when anyone suggests cuttiing the deficit or any type of balancing the books, people are up in arms about the suffering it will cause. 6 of one half dozen of the other always moaning.
It’s great to finally see a leader with his head screwed on for once. What he’s done, and what’s he’s in the process of doing is far more than we could of expected from Míchael Martin or dare I say it, Gerry Adams. Personally, it gets tiring party-bashing for no good reason other than there’re politicians and they “deserve it”. *sigh*. At least most people are actually giving credit to an Taoiseach where it’s due.
‘Credit where credit is due’, what planet are you on?? Lie after lie, broken promise after broken promise yet the sheep follow blindly behind! This is Ireland’s biggest problem.
@Glenn Carrol
Okay Fianna Failer, back on your wagon.
doing a good gob no nonsense
Enda is doing a fantastic job,and not forgetting the shoot from the hip Michael Noonan finance minister who are telling the Irish people how things stand, not like previous governments who were secretive and underhanded, i for one thank them from taking us from financial ruin….
So far worse than the last government. U-turns, broken promises, Extra bad budget on the way (€4billion rather than the €3.6Billion), idea of taxing people for the very roads needed to get to work. Plenty of words but none of the other w word that all Irish politicians are allergic to (work).
If the government were serious they would start by reducing their own pay packets than taking money off social welfare and the working poor.
They were more interested in what some independents were wearing than in the economic crisis around them. Also stating at election time that this government is a “new democratic revolution” where is the democracy by Fine Gael and its leaders in trying to block and steal the presidential election?
It is time for the political leaders of this country on ALL sides to get real. The opposition leader’s performance is just as poor. Where is the poll on his performance just to balance things?
Agree totally here, and worse to come, indirect taxes, more cuts, all acceptable if A PLAN was presented to the people so we could see where they were trying to get to???
Rather than closing A & E’s where is the request that the HSE produce and publish budgets with efficiencies included showing the Gov & citizens that there was a plan to make it right???? I can not see H& S standards improving or costs reducing by closing that A & E, so……what was the point?
They have lowered their paypackets and they have begun to change the way of old politics but what were you expecting to happen in 5 short months? Miracles?
@Lee Mohan HONESTY! That is what I expected, honesty takes 1 second not minutes and we still have not got that. They are still giving jobs to the boys, Fine Gael sunk so low that they even released the date of the Presidential election at their party nomination convention to give the impression that they have a right to win it, while using back door politics to stop an individual that a lot of people want to see elected from even getting his name on the ballot paper.
Also the claims over the last week that Ireland stood up to the EU in terms of the bailout deal are rubbish. We only got an improvement because it suits Germany and France to improve the terms, if it didn’t we wouldn’t. Plus THEY HAVE ALREADY SAID IT WILL MAKE NO DIFFERENCE TO THE CITIZENS.
The only good thing Mr. Kenny has done is stood up to the church. But even this is more playing to the crowd in the hope they will forget his BROKEN PROMISE to the people of Roscommon. In terms of health facilities other ones Fine Gael promised to keep in the election but are no going include St. Mary’s on the North side of Cork City. I have no faith in this government and equally no faith in the opposition. Once again to answer Lee Mohan HONESTY is what we were promised and honesty is what I am waiting for. I could put up with the hardship and the increased taxes and cuts if they were done in an HONEST manner but they are not.
Seems to me…. once power has been achieved, honesty is out the window…..its back to…….. under the counter, behind the backs of, tell them what might appease them, type strategies… Unless the elected Gov realise that we have copped on to this and stop assuming we are stupid then they surely will be the losers!!!!!
credit where credit is due for slamming the Vatican, but until he stands up to The Trioca he’s failing Ireland completely and utterly.
The German and French banks think he is just magic.
And sure for them he is……Bet Bank of Ireland does not!!!….current talk is they are about to fold!
He hasn’t really done anything. The reduction in the interest rate was on the back of the Greece bail out. NOTHING to do with Enda’s negotiating skills… or lack of?? The speech on the Vatican was long over due, but nothing will come of it. Didn’t the Church help the Nazis at the end of the war? What makes anyone think something will be done now? The Bishops & Clergy that broke the law & obstructed justice should ALL be arrested… but that will NEVER happen!
The Performance of Enda Kenny along with Fine Gael so far has been very poor in my opinion. The only thing achieved so far is a reversal in the minimum wage! A closure of a hospital, Leo Vradkar looking at tolling more mororways. Michael Noonan dropping hints that more taxes and further austerity in the next budget and a lovely insult by the lovely Joan Burton telling those who are unemployed to get up of their butt to re-train! Easy said when your on 100k+ salary! In fact I would address the nation for a third of her anual salary!
Don’t get me wrong but I voted Fine Gael in the last general election believing all of their empty promises. But dont be fooled folks, a cut in the intrest rate has lead to Ireland reviewing the corporate tax rate (all in the small print). Kenny’s attact on the Vatican is only a diversion from the 5 point plan,more like a 5 pint plan,thought up at the Dail bar. I think this government will only last one term but who will we vote in next???? I can see independent candidates coming out on top in the next election!
The extension of the bailout to 15 years will see a long long road to recovery and unemployment remain at a high level. I’m not a negative person,just a realist and having been unemployed for 20 months its looking like I will have to take my trade to another country and pay my taxes to that country. So thank you Fine Gael for your non existant 5 point plan. That’s the last time I will be lied to in order to to obtain my vote.
Excellent!!!!! ans sadly all too true!!!!
The government are operating under severe restrictions compared to what we grew accustomed to. Cuts had to be made and cuts will most likely still need to be made along with further tax increases. I dont like it but its the situation we’re in. If you’re such a realist then surely you’ll realise that.
I’m not a FG fan, I don’t think Enda has been great but he certainly seems to be doing the best he can under difficult conditions. Its a job I wouldnt touch in a million years, no matter how you choose to save the money thats needed somebody is going to villify you for it.
Donacha…I would never vilify him or another for fairness in austerity….I appreciate its need….what I do not and will never accept id the bottom up approach to austerity…. Its like they believe the bottom have neither entitlement or brain…Pre-historic…but more relevant…futile…watch this space
I suppose he is doing the best he can with what was left to him. Speaking out against the church is still a victory no matter what the motives behind it. However our government is still a corrupt system, carefully planning to bury reports like leas cross with other news until it happens again with rostrever house and the cycle continues. The only way to be happy with the government is to lower your expectations and be realistic, after all the careful plotting, promises are rarely lived up to and it seems when they finally get some results (which is a rarity) we are expected to fawn over what a wonderful job they have done. I am just as disillusioned with this government as I was with the last.
I wonder how many of the posts here are from Fine Gael? Just curious.
As long as I live I will always feel Irish, no amount of bank debt will ever take that away from me.
I figure any above 19% Joe….
Exactly what is the difference between Mr. Kenny’s Party and FF in the way they have done things. Health? Worse now than ever under Dr. O Reilly, after all the promises [lies] he told us before he was elected.
Taxes and Transport? Mr. Varadkar would have made a great Chancellor for Germany if Hitler had not been around, another lying toad. Same old, same old.
Yes, because Fine Gael, with a Jewish Minister for Justice is akin to the Nazis. After reading your comments, my head is sore from all the facepalms!
After we dump the Euro we could maybe feel like Irish again, remember Ireland? Irish Currency, Irish flag, Irish National Anthem all that? I love the way you attack me, friend, and I use the term in an offhand manner in case you misread that as well.
Sweden had the balls [and the opportunity] to tell the Euromob where to stuff the Euro, are they in the same situation we are? No they aren’t! Too many countries with the same currency will always wind up like the US, in deep du-du. And to answer your question you and I are as responsible for the shipwreck this country has become as the corrupt political system we are lumbered with because we sat on the fence and let King Bertie and Brian Cowen do our thinking for us. And yes I expect a change after 8 months, at least in the crap ‘health service’ we have. Or is it too much to ask that you pull your head out of your self satisfied ass and take a look at what the poor of this Country are being asked to do to pay the Bankers bills?
If he gives the likes of Howlin the same kick in the nethers he gave the Church for wasting public money and in essence devaluing the notion of political service by employing their own relatives, spunking public money on constituency offices, forcing the taxpayer to subsidise political parties (yes folks, we’re all still paying for Fianna Fail even now!), and basically still riding the gravy train, albeit at a slower speed than before, I’d be delighted to upgrade his standing from good to excellent.
Enda is doing the best he can under severe restrictions. The country has no money it was siphoned off by the bankers and wankers of FF. The fact is they messed Ireland up. Enda’s FG and Labour were the only ones that stepped up for the job and under the shackled of the IMF Enda has did the best he can.
Trevor Byrne spot on ps young FG are on to polls etc. like flies on shite!
Yes they inherited it…no argument there..
No to : they are doing the best they can…People and country is the “Best they can”…not EU or others…
What Enda Kenny and FG have done well is to control the media in this country including the more popular internet forums and social media outlets here.
It’s so predictable and obvious and the FG shilling plants on here and elsewhere are just cringe worthy.
Bread and circuses.
Well said Trevor :)
Cow.d I get a lend of your tin foil hat?
Even though I am pleased that the government changed drastically in the last election, there haven’t been many major tests for Enda so far.
Ask that question in 12 months time and it will be an interesting comparison.
Best Taoiseach in my living memory.
You have an amazing grasp of the keyboard at one year of age.
PMSL…at both of those comments!
Albert Reynolds knew what he was doing. And he despised Haughey with every bone in his body. Which is good.
Enda and the other one will be like little governors of the Irland Provinz of the German 4th Reich, Merkle will “look after them ” for their services so far.
Thanks to Enda and all his komrades in the Dail my friends now live in a real country,AUSTRALIA.Saving what left of my Reich Euros to join them.
The good:
- attack on the Vatican (but now expel their ambassador);
- interest rate cut (but not at the expense of corporation tax);
- not being the tired faces of the last regime.
The Bad
- raiding the private pension funds crossed the line;
- not having an emergency budget;
- they are implementing the same economic policy they voted against (remember the farce of facilitating the finance bill?)
The ugly:
- Kenny lying about not making promise on Roscommon.
- emmet Stagg is a minister
- ADDING TO OUR DEBT BURDEN by not applying haircuts to senior bank Bondholders (€36bn of which is outside the guarantee).
Politically, Enda Kenny is doing very well.
My jury needs more convincing Conor….I soooo wish he and the Gov were on the right track….then I could sleep at night because my little symptoms here would disappear into the may-lieu…..Not a chance of that now…or any time in the near future as I see it…and I am not alone here…
Nothing so far convinces me that Mr Kenny or the Current Gov are any better,,,the only difference is they are using a new broom…….so we are letting them….for now!!
I think the EU and IMF are doing a good job running the country. Who’s this Enda fella?
A waster, like those who came before him. Allowed unguaranteed bondholders to be bailed out at the expense of the Irish tax-payer. Closed crucial public services, with more to follow. What exactly has he done worth any merit? Give the Catholic Church a stern word or two? (I would have fucked them all out of it) Dragged out our debt? Well done Enda. Unemployment still sky-high.. He has done fuck all in fairness.
As a small business owner. I have to agree, he has done sfa, for the domestic economy. FF may only look after the top1%, and do so for crooked favours, FG though only look after the top 10%. The domestic economy is in freefall still.
Enda is doing ok, but he is FG through and through, very much part of the golden circle of Irish politics and business, not a fraction of the same degree as FF but still part of the problem. We have gotten rid of FF now it is time to get rid of the scobies of FG. They act in the interests of a small part of the populace, always have, always will.
Sorry, where is the poll or am I blind :-/
Scratch that! Refreshed!
At long last a Leader who honestly speaks his mind and confronts the church.It makes me proud to be Irish.
Mike is soooo right – people are complaining (if its meant by that) – especially the ones who have the big money and now they have to cut a bit and can not buy an 12 car……
I also think he got a country in bits and he is not the strongest personality but I feel he is not the “i live it now on the full on the expenses of the people” but started thinking.
I (still) like him and wish him/us all the best…and hope as I am a single mum with no support at all on welfare…..
Poll now suggests to me that 64% did good or excellent during the Celtic tiger and are in a position to observe….the remainder…are on a grade from OK…to…gee not too good….to flipping heck , sick with worry,….to oh Jesus,,, Sh.t hitting fan…..to….Call to Julia next door for a loan for food for the children until dole payment day…..or WORSE……. Each of us can have our thoughts on this subject…but they are subjective….unless you are Julia’s neighbour!!! To feel it you need to live it….
enda isnt any good at all, what performance are they on about his axcting or his work as taoisioch? the first is below par the latter, hew hasnt even started yet
I wasn’t a fan of Enda’s prior to the GE but I have to say hats off to the man. He was always going to be surrounded in unpopular news due to reeling back the ridiculous spending of Fianna Fail and how that would impact people even if for the greater good. He was over shouting at the EU prior to the GE for a better deal for Ireland in the “bail out” – a point that many people in a suspicious recent survey seem to have forgotten and now thank Greece for our benefit. His statement attacking the vatican is something no Fianna Fail person would ever do – imagine attacking somebody with wealth and power – certainly not in their manifesto. Enda will have to lead a host of unpopular decisions to get this country back on track and if he keeps going the way he is rather than the way he used to be, I think we’ll be very much on the road to recovery and dare I say it, happy times again.
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