Taoiseach admits ‘not all promises delivered’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted his party has failed to deliver some promises after its first year in power and that the mortgage crisis for homeowners remains a serious problem.

In a toned down address to his first ard fheis as Taoiseach, Mr Kenny said challenges remained for the Government, particularly on the issue of boosting employment.

In a varied address to the thousands of party members at the National Convention Centre in Dublin, he also focused on the upcoming EU treaty referendum as well as on the country’s international reputation.

Looking slightly tired after his recent visits to the US and China, the party leader said in his low-key speech that Fine Gael would not celebrate until “Ireland had reason to celebrate”.

He added: “Our purpose now must be to redouble our efforts, to work even harder to deliver our plan.”

The packed auditorium heard Mr Kenny warn that the Government had a “long way to go”.

He vowed that “shameful and corrupt practices” revealed in the Moriarty and Mahon reports must never be allowed occur again and that the Government would take firm action to break the link between business and political funding. This will include limiting corporate donations and creating a register of lobbyists.

He added: “While the steps we have taken in the first year have brought stability, we recognise that some of the pledges we made have not been delivered.”

The bailout of the banks remained “too heavy”, he added, but Ireland would not default.

Mr Kenny again stressed the importance of voters saying yes to the May 31 referendum on the EU fiscal treaty and linked its passing to increased employment for Ireland.

“This commitment is an investment in our children’s future, and in our country’s future,” he said.

He spoke about debt-ridden borrowers and about allowing people stay in their homes. “I’m frustrated we haven’t been able to move as fast as we wanted to to tackle the mortgage crisis.”

His 24-minute speech received 27 rounds of applause from the audience.

Earlier in a warm-up speech ahead of the leader’s address, party chairman Charlie Flanagan delivered an attack on the former Fianna Fáil government and Bertie Ahern, who was heavily criticised by the Mahon probe.

“The then taoiseach, the most highly paid man in government, hoovering up cash, left, right and centre.”

Mr Flanagan also attacked other Dáil groups including the Independents who he said were “a chaotic and confusing collection of serial protesters, self-styled economic gurus and a ragbag of political exiles”.

During the closing events of the ard fheis, Finance Minister Michael Noonan also received a standing ovation ahead of his own evening speech.