“By 2007, an uncompetitive, bloated, over-borrowed and distorted Irish economy had been left at the mercy of subsequent international events without the safeguards, institutions, and mindset needed to survive and prosper as a small open economy inside the euro area.”

Irish former Fine Gael politician

Enda Kenny is an Irish former Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017. Born in 1951, he also led Fine Gael from 2002 to 2017 and represented Mayo in Dáil Éireann for many years. His career included periods as Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Tourism and Trade, Minister of State with responsibility for Youth Affairs, and Minister for Defence. He is associated with Irish national politics across several decades, from local representation to senior government office.