Kenny tells FG party members to brace for more ‘tough days’

FINE GAEL parliamentary party members already reeling from a disastrous presidential election have been told by Enda Kenny to expect even more tough days ahead in the run-up to the budget.

But in a surprise move, the Taoiseach also signalled that he would be making a “state of the nation” speech before the budget, which is expected to be televised.

As the Government party faced criticism on bailing out bondholders and losing two elections and a referendum, Mr Kenny instead focused on the euro crisis.

The speech was being flagged as a “state of the nation” address as the Government prepares to roll out its first budget since taking office in February.

One senior TD said that Mr Kenny would make an “important national address before Christmas” while another said: “He’s considering when to do it. He wants to let the people know exactly where we are and the what the position is and how vulnerable we are to the whole euro. It will be televised.”

A government spokesman last night said: “The Government is determined to undertake a transparent budget process and a number of means are being considered in which best to do so.”

Another senior party TD last night suggested the speech may be modelled as more of a “fireside chat or somewhere in between” rather than a full-blown state of the nation address.

Party members were expected to focus on the fallout from the poor 6.4% vote that party MEP, Gay Mitchell, got in his bid for the Áras. His campaign manager and parliamentary party chairman, Charlie Flanagan, told members that he was preparing a report on which will include the selection process used by the party and will be ready in a number of weeks.

MEP Mairead McGuinness, who failed to get the parliamentary party support in her bid to contest the presidential election, also spoke at the Leinster House meeting. She told TDs and senators that she wanted internal party research on elections in future to be released.

There were suggestions that Ms McGuinness and former European parliament president, Pat Cox, were polling better for the presidency than Gay Mitchell before the party’s nomination process earlier this year.

Gay Mitchell was notably absent at last night’s meeting but a comment from one TD that “we picked the wrong candidate” was agreed with by some party members.

A younger TD said: “He [Enda Kenny] was saying that the process of the budget though will be a tough one for the next couple of weeks.” While another party source added:

“It was about general communication within the party and keeping channels open coming up to the budget.”