Isn’t it ironic? Enda throws lifeline to Cowen

ON a day rich with political ironies, this must have been one of the strangest for Enda Kenny: In the same 24 hours his leadership of Fine Gael began to sink in rough waters, he was throwing a lifeline to Brian Cowen.

The Dáil motion of confidence in the Taoiseach gave a fresh mandate to Mr Cowen. It forced disgruntled Fianna Fáil backbenchers to publicly stand behind their leader and drew a line under an abysmal week for the party which saw historically low poll results and criticism of its policies from two major banking reports.

In contrast, when Enda Kenny stood up to deliver a speech that should have seriously undermined Mr Cowen’s authority in the eyes of the public, the tone of resignation in his voice made it clear the only leadership coming to an end was his own.