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Updated 13 June 2017
HE TOOK HIS time, but Enda Kenny has officially resigned as Taoiseach. After much speculation about when it would occur, Kenny made his intentions known last month that he would be stepping down as Fine Gael leader.
He has been acting Taoiseach since then, and today marked his final speech in the Dáil.
This clears the way for Minister Leo Varadkar to take his place at the helm of Fine Gael (with Simon Coveney, with whom he battled for leadership, as the former GP’s deputy).
Of course, as the Dáil’s longest-serving TD, it must be difficult for Kenny to let go, sit back and enjoy retirement.
So, it’s no surprise that there has been speculation that he may take up some other high-powered role when he does step aside.
We took a look at some of the jobs he might dust his CV off for…
Kenny had previously used the issue of Brexit to argue that it was not the right time for him to step down.
His supporters, like Finance Minister Michael Noonan, said Kenny knows the big players in Europe, and has built up relationships with the people Ireland needs to get on side for negotiations.
Kenny had said on a number of occasions that Ireland doesn’t need a Brexit minister as he was taking care of matters in the role of Taoiseach.
As people waited for him to announce that he was stepping down, there was speculation that Kenny should be kept on as Brexit minister.
A poll by The Sunday Business Post found that 60% are opposed to such an idea, but 38% are in favour of such a role for Kenny. The strongest support was among his Fine Gael supporters where 69% agree such a role would be suitable for him.
Just last weekend, Kenny was in touch with British Prime Minister Theresa May, who is preparing for her negotiations with the EU over Brexit. He showed that he’s not one to keep his opinions to himself, voicing concern about the impending deal between May’s party and the DUP.
A statement on their meeting said that on the subject of Brexit, they noted that negotiations were scheduled to begin later this month, “with the Taoiseach reiterating Irish concerns”.
An Irishman currently holds the job as the Ambassador of the European Union to the United States – so it is not out of the question.
Kenny’s pro-Europe credentials are well known. His relationship with the US is also pretty good after what was dubbed a successful St Patrick’s Day trip to the White House.
The four-year role is currently held by David O’Sullivan who has served since 2014.
It wouldn’t be the first time a former Taoiseach has been appointed to the position. Kenny’s former boss John Bruton was the EU’s ambassador to Washington from 2004 to 2009.
Kenny has been linked with this job before.
In 2014, having already been linked with the job of European Commission President, his name was being mentioned in reports about who would be the next council President.
His name has come up again recently, as the current president, Donald Tusk, has come in for criticism in his home country, Poland. Despite speculation that he might not stay for another term, European Union leaders confirmed Tusk for a second term as Council president last month.
The president is elected for a 2.5 year term, which is renewable once.
So you never know. Maybe next time, Enda?
Teacher
Kenny might be tempted to return to his pre-politics role.
Prior to his election in 1975, he was a school teacher, but his age (65) might bring a halt to any ambitions to re-enter the classroom.
Although, his recent trip to the US showed that he hasn’t lost his ability to school people on the Irish language….
Kenny’s known to enjoy a cycle around the Ring of Kerry, so you never know, he might be content with spending time with his family, enjoying his retirement, and giving more time to the hobby.
Come to think of it… There are probably more than a few Fine Gael TDs who’d like him to hop onto that saddle and pedal away into the sunset – and sooner, rather than later.
- Additional reporting Aoife Barry. Originally published 10 April 2017.
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Kenny has a nice EU commissioner role awaiting him in Brussels, which is his 30 pieces of silver for not burning the bondholders but burdened the Irish taxpayers with debt.
@Permo Dermo: that wasn’t him. Blame that lying bast@rd Brian Cowan for that
@jason bourne: Actually jason it was Enda “its not our debt” that put us on the rack,
@Permo Dermo:
Please. The people who burdened the Irish taxpayers with debt were the public sector unions, who’s refusal to give an inch on their bloated pay and pensions during the recession led to a €20 billion annual deficit, every year. The bank bailout was small change compared to that.
@Fred Jensen: €20 > €64?? oh ya I forgot you’re probably using leprechaun economics.
@Fred Jensen: You are some moron aren’t you if you believe that. Aside from the incontrovertible fact that every public sector employee took a fairly hefty pay cut, one which is only now beginning to be only slightly undone, and had a public sector only pension levy applied, how could anyone forget that it was the failure of private sector organisations – banks and property developers among others – that caused the recession and economic collapse. Don’t be so daft
@Fred Jensen: Fred would you ever cop on to yourself.
Why wasn’t tosser listed.
Well this gombeen ever exit the stage.he sold out his own people in favour of the EU,has to be the most embarrassing leader ever
The sheer arrogance of the man, did the same when it came to announcing the date of the last General Election, flip-flopping around for months, unwilling to inform the Irish people when they would be allowed to cast their vote, forgetting that he is nothing more than a PUBLIC SERVANT. Should be in jail for treason.
Surely Seannachi-in-chief. I know a homeless fella on a bench in merrion square with a pint in each hand who will second him for the role, as soon as he’s finished phoning everyone to tell them how much extra water is in his taps thanks to fine gael.
He wasn’t good enough to be taoiseach never mind any of the other jobs. The fact that the EU people see him as a soft touch to advance their own objectives (hence all the EU praise) will rule him out for all of those jobs. I can’t remember one important decision he’s made in the 6 years he’s been taoiseach, except that announcement for the immigrant vote referendum a few months back which will mean nothing to most of us.
@Adrian: The Aqueduct?
“Recently, there has been speculation that Kenny should be kept on as Brexit minister.”
Why would we want “its not our debt” any were near important discussions…..
40 years as a TD, stayed under the radar for 30 odd years collecting his wages and then spent the past few years keeping his masters in Brussels happy to make sure he gets a plum job in Europe. He’s done very well for “himself” and will be looked after while phase two austerity continues to be implemented under stealth taxes and lack of investment in public services. That’s his legacy and as long as the Irish people continue to FF/FG, many more entitled TD’s will enrich themselves on the back of the gullible Irish voter.
While he collects his Taoiseach’s massive pension pot and then the 100k lump sum and the 30k a year teachers pension, he can think about it.
Prison cell
@Jonathan Yeo: so it’s a crime to save a country from economic ruins?
@Negan: lol
@Negan: what planet are you on, I’d like to visit for a few hours.
What about absolute waster?
Quentin Tarantino is looking for a new gimp for Pulp Fiction 2
Would his incompetence be put up with anywhere else.
@William Clay: Only in the EU…..
He could get a job working for Dinny?
Like Cowan did.
Who would have him the circus wouldn’t take him!!
@vinnie Monaghan. Cos he already holds that job title.
He should be booted out of politics.
Why doesn’t he volunteer and dosomething worthwhile ? Why a job with a big salary and yet another pension?
A bog in his beloved mayo,,bury him in it
@Shane O Malley: Shane with a name like O Malley at u sure u wouldn’t like to be buried with him.
@Shane O Malley: Yes he should go back to mayo & cut turf, at least he would be doing something constructive & not costing the taxpayer more money
Backbencher?
@Dylan McKane: backstabber you mean surely
Go back teaching-ar u. Joking-he couldn’t teach a donkey.He will b over in the canaries rubbing the sun cream onto Finnullas back.
Enda wants the private lick arse job to Merkel.
have your say