Kenny admits he has failed to measure up on public trust

Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted he had not measured up to the level of trust placed in him by the Irish people — as his nominee for a Seanad seat withdrew from the race amid uproar.

John McNulty’s decision to ask Oireachtas members not to vote for him in the Upper House by-election contest left Mr Kenny on the defensive in the Dáil.

Under heavy opposition fire, the Taoiseach accepted responsibility for “taking my eye off the situation when I should have been more diligent about seeing it through”.