On your side or the outside?

‘Truth and honesty’ is fine, but FG needs local election success, says Political Editor Harry McGee.

EARLY LAST autumn, Fine Gael had a two-day parliamentary party gathering in a hotel down the country. The following morning at check-out time, a fax arrived at the hotel reception for the party leader.

The two receptionists, well-educated products of affluent 1990s Ireland, looked at each other quizzically. They turned to a guest at the counter and asked: "Do you have any idea what Enda Kenny looks like?"