McGuinness pays tribute to Kenny

Drumconrath-based MEP, Mairead McGuinness, who is first vice-president of the European Parliament, said when Enda Kenny leaves the Taoiseach’s office he will have left an enormously positive legacy behind him.

“There are few taoisigh or prime ministers who can leave behind a legacy of turning an economy from deep recession into a recovery outperforming the Euro zone as a whole with unemployment dropping from over 15pc five years ago to just over 6pc and falling in April 2017,” she said.

And she said there are few who have given public service to the extent that Enda Kenny has done.

“His whole adult life has been devoted to public service and his personal integrity has never been questioned, even by his most ardent opponents,” she said.

Wishing the Taoiseach and his family the very best for the future Ms McGuinness said she hoped he would continue to play a role in public service.

“He has much to contribute yet and I do hope that he will continue to play a role in Irish and European public life and in the Fine Gael party long into the future.”