Sir, – John Sheehan (December 13th) correctly points out that Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s pension will be paid for by our taxes as he claims it, and not from a €3.2 million pension fund.
However, Mr Sheehan appears to miss the point that the €3.2 million is what Mr Kenny’s pension would be worth if it were privately funded, and he has been required to contribute next to nothing towards it. And that figure is given – along with his €200,000 salary – in the context of his dreadful attempt, on the night of the Budget, to justify hacking €3.5 billion out of the economy. – Yours, etc,
A chara – I believe Fintan O’Toole’s “inarticulate drivel” description of Taoiseach Enda Kenny (Opinion, December 11th) is unfortunately spot-on.
Anyone who has ever watched Leaders’ Questions must feel very disheartened and uninspired by the “performances” of our Taoiseach. Enda Kenny is only ever asked a few questions during Leaders’ Questions but each time he fails to give anything even vaguely resembling a proper answer.
When Micheál Martin asked a basic budget question this week, Mr Kenny answered with how he has inherited a mess from Fianna Fáil (and the Green Party), which is completely true, but nearly two years on he needs to accept this inheritance and govern it wisely. When Gerry Adams asked a legitimate question regarding the disgraceful decision to cut the respite care grant, again Mr Kenny avoided the question by bringing up Sinn Féin’s past. Finally, Mr Kenny treats United Left Alliance questions with contempt.
I would love to know what Mr Kenny’s vision for our country is? Where is his passion for the role of Taoiseach? Why is he not leading by example? Why does he take a €200,000 salary when so many citizens are suffering financially? Why do his words speak louder than his actions? And why does he repeat the same awful clichés day after day? I believe unless Mr Kenny quickly learns the true qualities of even an average leader, then Irish history will treat him cruelly about his ineffective tenure as Taoiseach.
The honeymoon period is over for this Government and Mr Kenny needs to start making decisions that have extremely positive impacts on our country, both economically and socially. Mr Kenny has three clear choices: he can start to lead properly and bring the citizens of this country along with him to a predetermined destination; resign; or continue to limp along until the next general election, waffling on about confidence returning to our economy, jobs (creation of) jobs (protection of), the five-point plan, moving the country forward, etc. – Is mise,