Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced he is stepping down as leader of Fine Gael from midnight.

Mr Kenny, who has been leader of Fine Gael since 2002 and Taoiseach since 2011, made the long-awaited announcement at the weekly meeting of Fine Gael TDs and senators on Wednesday evening, triggering the contest to succeed him.

Mr Kenny will remain as Taoiseach until his successor is elected. The new leader will be announced on Friday, June 2nd.

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney and Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar are seen as the two front-runners.

The party’s national executive will meet on Thursday to finalise the mechanics of the contest.

Mr Kenny (66) said he will allow the new leader some time to conduct discussions with Fianna Fáil and the Independents before he will stand aside as Taoiseach.

The Fine Gael parliamentary party was scheduled to meet in Leinster House at 5.30pm but Mr Kenny had called for it to be brought forward by an hour.

The entire meeting lasted just seven minutes.

Mr Kenny made a short speech in which he mentioned his “uninterrupted service” in the Dáil since 1975 and thanked his supporters in his Mayo constituency and his family.

Mr Kenny was described by those present as “very emotional” and was given a number of standing ovations by his TDs and senators.

Martin Heydon, the chairman of the parliamentary party, gave a short speech paying tribute and thanking Mr Kenny.

Although some TDs, such as Dublin South Central’s Catherine Byrne, indicated they would like to speak, Mr Kenny asked if it was “okay for him to go now”.

“It was like he couldn’t take it,” said one of those present.

Mr Kenny is due to travel to the US and Belgium between June 4th and June 7th.

In his statement, Mr Kenny said he will “retire as leader from midnight tonight 17th May 2017”.

“I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity, until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael leadership election process,” said Mr Kenny, who received a standing ovation at the meeting.

Expedite process

“I have asked that the Fine Gael Executive Council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on Friday June 2nd.

“I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full.

“I intend to provide a brief but appropriate period for my successor to engage with groups and members supportive of Government, and with other Parties in the Dáil regarding provision of Government for the future.

“I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege that it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in opposition and into Government on two successive occasions.

“I thank all our members, past and present for that privilege. I thank all my loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo for their unstinting loyalty since 1975, and for their support for my family previously in providing unbroken service to the County in Dáil Éireann since 1954.

“I thank my personal staff for their commitment over many years to their duties. I especially want to thank my wife Fionnuala, our children, my siblings and their families for their understanding of my work, and indeed for accepting the many intrusions of politics into family life in the interest of building our Country. I could not have engaged as I did without that base.”

‘Very emotional’

Mr Heydon praised Mr Kenny for his tenure as Fine Gael leader.

In a statement, he listed the achievements of the Fine Gael leader including the marriage equality referendum, an apology for survivors of the Magdalene laundries, the children’s rights referendum, and legislating for the X Case.

“He fostered and encouraged a generational change in our Party, which while being the largest party in Dáil Éireann, now also has one of the youngest age profiles.

“Thanks to Enda Kenny, Fine Gael has an abundance of talented representatives, who have an ever increasing experience of governing.

“On behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, I would like to thank Enda Kenny for his remarkable service to our country and our Party. I would also like to acknowledge the sacrifices made by his wife Fionnuala, and their children Aoibhinn, Ferdia and Naoise, which allowed Enda to be the great leader that he has been.”

Mr Kenny is understood to have held a meeting of his staff ahead of a press launch on Wednesday afternoon to inform them of his plans.

Fair play contract

Candidates are to be compelled to sign up to a “fair play contract” that will attempt to keep the contest to succeed Mr Kenny as party leader clean. A document will be drawn up by the party hierarchy over the coming days.

Party sources told The Irish Times the so-called “fair play contract” will prohibit candidates from using methods the party deems unacceptable, such as distributing opinion polls with disputed methodologies.

The move follows on from the distribution of polls by supporters of Mr Coveney which sought to assess the levels of support for Fine Gael if the party was led by Mr Coveney or Mr Varadkar.

Although Mr Coveney’s supporters stood over the data, those in Mr Varadkar’s camp have disputed the findings.</s>Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s long goodbye as leader of Fine Gael will end at midnight tonight, when he officially steps down after months of speculation. Kenny made the anticipated announcement this afternoon at a meeting of Fine Gael TDs and senators.

The Mayo politician first entered the Dáil in 1975 and has been Taoiseach for the past six years. All attention will now turn to the battle to replace Kenny as Fine Gael leader. Ministers Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar are front runners.

In a statement, Kenny (pictured) said that he will continue to carry out his duties as party leader in an acting capacity until a successor is elected. Despite resigning the Fine Gael leadership, Kenny will continue as Ireland’s prime minister until a replacement is voted on in Dáil Eireann, most likely in mid-June. “I have asked that the Fine Gael Executive Council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on Friday, June 2,” Kenny said.

The Taoisech added: “I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege that it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in opposition and into government on two successive occasions. I thank all my loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo for their unstinting loyalty since 1975, and for their support for my family previously in providing unbroken service to the county in Dáil Éireann since 1954.”

Martin Heydon, chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, praised Kenny’s role as leader of Fine Gael. “Under Enda Kenny as Taoiseach, we saw a devastated economy repaired, long ignored social issues addressed, and the rebirth of a self-confident Ireland,” he said. “His leadership of Fine Gael since 2002 has brought us to our most successful period in government as the largest party in Dáil Éireann for the last two terms.”

Heydon described Kenny’s leadership style as compassionate, pragmatic and inclusive. “Having inherited a country and an economy that was decimated by mismanagement, Enda’s strong leadership and ability to make hard decisions was recognised both at home and abroad and saw our international reputation restored and strengthened,” he added.

“In focusing on job creation, Enda Kenny followed Fine Gael’s key guiding principles of enterprise and reward for those who look to work and contribute to society, while creating and supporting a fairer society for those who are vulnerable and in need of support.”

In Heydon’s view, Kenny fostered and encouraged a generational change in the Fine Gael party. “Thanks to Enda Kenny, Fine Gael has an abundance of talented representatives, who have an ever increasing experience of governing,” he said. “On behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, I would like to thank Enda Kenny for his remarkable service to our country and our party.”</s>Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to step down as leader of his Fine Gael party tonight, clearing the way for Ireland to have a new head of government.

In a statement to colleagues in Dublin, Mr Kenny said he was retiring from midnight with his successor to be in place on June 2.

“I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full,” he said.

The veteran politician, from Castlebar, Co Mayo, is to resign after 15 years at the helm of the party and more than six years at the head of government.

Mr Kenny revealed his decision to stand down at a private meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after delaying the announcement for several months.

Mr Kenny said he would give his successor a “brief but appropriate” time to hold talks with parties and independents propping up the Republic’s minority government.

“I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege that it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in opposition and into government on two successive occasions,” he said.

“I thank all our members, past and present, for that privilege.”

Mr Kenny paid tribute to loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo who he has represented since 1975 and to his personal staff.

“I especially want to thank my wife Fionnuala, our children, my siblings and their families for their understanding of my work, and indeed for accepting the many intrusions of politics into family life in the interest of building our country.

“I could not have engaged as I did without that base,” he said.</s>Enda Kenny has announced his intention to resign as Fine Gael party leader, effective from midnight tonight.

The Mayo TD was first elected to the Dáil in 1975, and he made his announcement in a statement this afternoon at a meeting of the parliamentary party this evening.

It will bring to an end a six-year spell as Taoiseach and a campaign will now begin to a new Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach before June 2.

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar and Housing Minister Simon Coventry are the pair being tipped for a leadership battle, but Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has not yet ruled herself out.</s>Enda Kenny will stand down as Fine Gael leader at midnight.

The Taoiseach has triggered the leadership contest to replace him at his parliamentary party in the last few minutes.

Mr Kenny’s taken to twitter to announce the decision saying he will continue to carry out his duties as Taoiseach in full.

A new Fine Gael leader will be in place by close of business on the second of June – Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar are the two leading candidates to replace him.

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr. Terence Slowey has been paying tribute to the Taoiseach saying he did a lot for Donegal during his tenure:</s>Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced that he will step down as Fine Gael leader at midnight tonight.

His announcement triggers a leadership election in the party and Kenny says he expects the process to be completed by close of business on 2 June.

The 66-year-old has led Fine Gael for 15 years and has served as Taoiseach since 2011.

In a statement posted on Twitter, he said he intends to carry out his leadership duties in full until a successor is appointed.

The full posting can be found below:



Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney are the front-runners to replace Kenny, with Varadkar the bookies favourite carrying odds of 4/9.

Frances Fitzgerald has also refused to rule herself out of the race, and the Tánaiste has support from various people in and out of the party.</s>This is the full text of Enda Kenny’s statement to the Fine Gael parliamentary party: Last year I indicated that I would not lead the Fine Gael Party into the next general election. I have decided to implement that decision today. Therefore I will retire as leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight tonight, May 17th 2017.

I will continue to carry out my duties as Party Leader in an acting capacity, until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael Leadership election process.

I have asked that the Fine Gael Executive Council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on Friday June 2nd.

I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full.

I intend to provide a brief but appropriate period for my successor to engage with groups and members supportive of Government, and with other Parties in the Dáil regarding provision of Government for the future.

I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege that it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in opposition and into Government on two successive occasions.

I thank all our members, past and present for that privilege.

I thank all my loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo for their unstinting loyalty since 1975, and for their support for my family previously in providing unbroken service to the County in Dáil Éireann since 1954.

I thank my personal staff for their commitment over many years to their duties.

I especially want to thank my wife Fionnuala, our children, my siblings and their families for their understanding of my work, and indeed for accepting the many intrusions of politics into family life in the interest of building our Country. I could not have engaged as I did without that base.</s>Enda Kenny will step down as Ireland's prime minister after six years once his Fine Gael party elects a new leader.

The governing centre-right party's new leader will be in place by the end of June 2, Mr Kenny said.

Mr Kenny said last year that he would not lead Fine Gael into the next general election, due by 2021 at the latest.

Mr Kenny, 66, is credited with steering Ireland out of its economic collapse, but domestic scandals and a slump at the ballot box saw him come under pressure from within Fine Gael to step aside.

"I will retire as leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight tonight," Mr Kenny said on Wednesday, adding that he would continue as acting party leader until his successor is elected.

"I have asked that the Fine Gael executive council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on Friday June 2."

Mr Kenny said he would give his successor a "brief but appropriate" time to hold talks with parties and independents propping up the minority administration, "regarding provision of government for the future".

Fine Gael lost seats but narrowly remained the largest party after the February 2016 general election as the austerity imposed to turn around the 2010 economic crash grated with growing numbers of voters.</s>Kildare South TD Martin Heydon, chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, has paid tribute to the outgoing Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

Mr Kenny announced he will step down as Fine Gael party leader as of midnight tonight, although he will stay on as Taoiseach until a successor is elected.

Deputy Heydon said that, under the Taoiseach, there had bee “the rebirth of a self-confident Ireland.

“Having inherited a country and an economy that was decimated by mismanagement, Enda's strong leadership and ability to make hard decisions was recognised both at home and abroad and saw our international reputation restored and strengthened,” said Deputy Heydon.

He also noted Mr Kenny’s contribution to job creation, his role in the marriage equality referendum and his encouragement of intergenerational change in Fine Gael.

“On behalf of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party, I would like to thank Enda Kenny for his remarkable service to our country and our Party. I would also like to acknowledge the sacrifices made by his wife Fionnuala, and their children Aoibhinn, Ferdia and Naoise, which allowed Enda to be the great leader that he has been.”</s>Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny is to step down as leader of his Fine Gael party tonight, clearing the way for Ireland to have a new head of government.

In a statement to colleagues in Dublin, Mr Kenny said he was retiring from midnight with his successor to be in place on June 2.

“I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full,” he said.

The veteran politician, from Castlebar, Co Mayo, is to resign after 15 years at the helm of the party and more than six years at the head of government.

Mr Kenny revealed his decision to stand down at a private meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after delaying the announcement for several months.

Mr Kenny said he would give his successor a “brief but appropriate” time to hold talks with parties and independents propping up the Republic’s minority government.

“I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege that it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in opposition and into government on two successive occasions,” he said.

“I thank all our members, past and present, for that privilege.”

Mr Kenny paid tribute to loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo who he has represented since 1975 and to his personal staff.

“I especially want to thank my wife Fionnuala, our children, my siblings and their families for their understanding of my work, and indeed for accepting the many intrusions of politics into family life in the interest of building our country.

“I could not have engaged as I did without that base,” he said.

Questions will immediately turn to a successor and Ireland’s next taoiseach alongside the analysis of Mr Kenny’s legacy after leading the country out of a crippling recession, albeit with an agenda of austerity.

Fine Gael party chairman Martin Heydon described Mr Kenny as a “compassionate, pragmatic and inclusive” leader.

“Having inherited a country and an economy that was decimated by mismanagement, Enda’s strong leadership and ability to make hard decisions was recognised both at home and abroad and saw our international reputation restored and strengthened,” Mr Heydon said.

Aside from the economics, some of the achievements of Mr Kenny’s governments were gay marriage rights, apologies for victims of clerical abuse and his apparent willingness to stand up to the Vatican and legislating for abortion in limited circumstances.

Failures include an inability to convince the public on water-metering and charges, painful tax hikes, unprecedented homelessness and a myriad of police corruption and negligence crises.

Mr Kenny delayed the transition to a new leader on a number of occasions this year, asking colleagues for time to visit the US for the annual St Patrick’s Day celebrations and to meet President Donald Trump, continuing the unique tradition Ireland has of access to the White House every March 17.
Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny announces that he will step down as leader of Fine Gael from midnight, but will remain Taoiseach until a leader is elected.