Enda Kenny
13th Taoiseach from 2011 to 2017
Enda Kenny (born April 24, 1951) is the Taoiseach of Ireland.
Quotes
edit2000s
edit- Some nigger who died dans la guerre.
- Part of a joke told to an audience by Kenny in 2002 about Patrice Lumumba, the assassinated Congolese leader.
- As quoted in "Fury at Kenny 'joke' spreads" (14 September 2002), The Observer
- 5 things you might not know about Enda Kenny JOE.ie, June 2010
- The fact is that I used the word, and no context can excuse it. I failed to exemplify my own standards and those of my party. I apologise for any offence this may have caused, particularly to the Lumumba family.
- Apology for the above joke, as quoted in "Fury at Kenny 'joke' spreads" (14 September 2002), The Observer
2010s
edit- The incoming government is not going to leave our people in the dark. Paddy likes to know what the story is.
- During an election count interview with Richard Crowley on RTÉ Television on 26 February 2011.
- “Paddy likes to know what the story is” – Ireland’s Taoiseach-in-waiting promises to tell the truth TheJournal.ie, 2011-02-26.
- Ministers would like Paddy to know that they didn't know at all, at all Sunday Independent, 2014-03-30.
- Ireland's historic election: What they said Spotlight: Einfach Englisch! 2011-02-28.
- You could do with a day's work, I'd say.
- To a man in Athlone who had lost his job in the recession after being self-employed for 29 years.
- Enda Kenny To Protester: “You Could Do With A Day’s Work, I’d Say.” Broadsheet, 2012-05-15.
- Taoiseach's jibe at Athlone protester Westmeath Independent, 2012-05-14.
- Generally when people speak to each other they use words.
- At a public event in July 2012. Irish Independent
- So I say to those people. And God knows we have some All-Ireland champions here in Castlebar. I don't mean Castlebar Mitchels, I mean the whingers that I hear every week.
- Expressing his thoughts on his own constituents at a campaign rally in Castlebar.
- Enda Kenny hits out at ‘All Ireland champion whingers’ in his constituency of Castlebar TheJournal.ie, 2016-02-21
- FG canvassers called me a 'whinger' - gran (72), Irish Independent, 2016-02-24
- If there's anyone out there who still doubts that Ireland is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our ancestors is alive in our time, who still questions our capacity to restore ourselves, reinvent ourselves and prosper, today is your answer.
- Introducing Barack Obama in College Green, he later denied plagiarism despite 36 of his first 48 words being the exact same as an earlier speech by Obama. Irish Central
- Bejaysus, I wish I didn't have to go back and face what I have to face.
- While at the Irish Embassy in Washington shortly after the 2016 general election. Irish Independent
- Is [assassination] only justified if the target is a reactionary, anti-democratic, anti-human rights obscurantist like bin Laden?
- Joe Higgins questions Kenny on support from the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and presidents of the European Commission and European Council for use of assassination.
- I know you are a good Christian man who has your job to do in here from a political point of view. Many of his victims in the twin towers in New York were of Irish descent or directly Irish.
- Kenny apologising to Higgins after slandering him. Irish Independent
- I know you are a good Christian man who has your job to do in here from a political point of view. Many of his victims in the twin towers in New York were of Irish descent or directly Irish.
- Joe Higgins questions Kenny on support from the Taoiseach, Tanaiste and presidents of the European Commission and European Council for use of assassination.
- Whether it's in relation to the sort of music that is played there or not, in any event, it's tragic for the families involved here.
- On the stabbings in Phoenix Park during an electronic music event. Evening Herald
- The outstanding organiser who brought Lenin himself to Ireland to see how the National Loan worked.
- Referring to Michael Collins at Béal na mBláth in 2012. He later admitted he had got it badly wrong after historians expressed bewilderment at Kenny's claim that Lenin had visited Ireland. As quoted in Irish Independent
- The greatest nation and most powerful nation on Earth.
- In reference to the United States, in a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama (March 2015)
Quotes about Kenny
edit- The dull man of Irish politics.
- I thought he was honest. He looked like someone who wasn't going to tell a lie.
- Joanne O'Riordan, who has no arms or legs, after Kenny cut disability funding upon being elected Taoiseach. Kenny had been filmed promising her while on the campaign trail that he would not do this, as quoted The Irish Times (2012)