Enda Kenny

Enda Kenny (born April 24, 1951) is a senior Irish politician. He is a Teachta Dála for Mayo and the current leader of Fine Gael. He is also the Leader of the Opposition in Dáil Éireann. Kenny has previously served as Minister for Tourism and Trade (1994–1997) and as a junior Minister under Garret Fitzgerald during the 1980s.

Related Topics:
April 24 - 1951 - Irish - Teachta Dála - Mayo - Fine Gael - Leader of the Opposition - Dáil Éireann - Garret Fitzgerald

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Enda Kenny was born in Castlebar, County Mayo and was educated in Castlebar, St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra and University College Galway. He qualified as a primary school teacher. Kenny has represented the people of Mayo in Dáil Éireann since 1975 when he was first elected in a by-election following the death of his father, Henry Kenny. He has been elected at nine consecutive elections since then as a Fine Gael TD.

Related Topics:
Castlebar - County Mayo - Drumcondra - University College Galway - Dáil Éireann - 1975 - Henry Kenny - Fine Gael - TD

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In the mid-1980s, he was a member of the Fine Gael delegation at the New Ireland Forum and later served on the British-Irish Parliamentary Association. Under Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald he served as Minister of State at the Departments of Education and Labour from 1986 until 1987. During his period as a TD he has served as party spokesperson on Education, Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Western Development and Youth Affairs and Sport, and he was also the party's chief whip for a time.

Related Topics:
Fine Gael - New Ireland Forum - British-Irish Parliamentary Association - Taoiseach - Garret FitzGerald - 1986 - 1987 - Gaeltacht

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Kenny negotiated, on behalf of Fine Gael, the Programme for Government with the Labour and Democratic Left parties prior to the formation of the Rainbow Coalition Government in 1994. Under Taoiseach John Bruton he was appointed Minister for Tourism and Trade in 1994. During his tenure as Minister he oversaw an unprecedented growth in tourism business and Ireland's trade position internationally. As Minister he also chaired the European Union Council of Trade Ministers during Ireland's Presidency of the European Council.

Related Topics:
Labour - Democratic Left - 1994 - Taoiseach - John Bruton - Minister for Tourism and Trade - Ireland - Presidency of the European Council

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In 2001 Kenny was defeated by Michael Noonan for the leadership of the Fine Gael Party. However after the disastrous performance of the party in the 2002 General Election Noonan resigned immediately on the night of the vote. Kenny was elected the leader of Fine Gael in the subsequent leadership election. Under his leadership, the Fine Gael party has become a more united entity, and have experienced electoral success in the 2004 local and European elections, which saw Fine Gael increase it representation from 4 MEPs of 15 from Ireland, to 5 from 13. This was the first time Fine Gael beat Fianna Fáil in a national election since 1927. Much of the credit for this has been given to Enda Kenny's leadership. Political pundits have noted that Kenny's confidence and parliamentary performances greatly improved in the wake of his electoral successes.

Related Topics:
2001 - Michael Noonan - Fine Gael - 2002 General Election - Subsequent leadership election - European elections - MEPs - Fianna Fáil

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Under Kenny the Fine Gael Party has also agreed to enter a pre-election pact with the Labour Party in an attempt to offer the electorate an alternative coalition government at the next general election, expected to take place in 2007.

Related Topics:
Fine Gael - Labour Party - Next general election - 2007

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Enda Kenny's leadership has attempted to define Fine Gael as a party of the progressive centre developing policies relating to value for money, consumer rights, civil partnerships, reform of public spending and developing health care policy. The party has retaken its mantle as a law and order party committed to defending the institutions of the state, although many Irish republicans contend this has been at the expense of the nationalist ideal of Irish reunification. The party appears to be on course to at least regain many of the seats it lost during its disastrous election result in 2002 with its leader beginning to carve an identity as an alternative Taoiseach.

Related Topics:
Fine Gael - Irish republican - Nationalist - Irish reunification - 2002 - Taoiseach

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Kenny is married with three children.

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