Kenny beefs up optimistic message to party

China has finally lifted its ban on Irish beef imports, Taoiseach Enda Kenny announced at the opening session of Fine Gael’s national conference.

Heavy security blanketed the venue for the gathering in Mr Kenny’s home town of Castlebar as organisers of an anti-water charge protest promised to bring 1,000 demonstrators onto the streets today.

Mr Kenny delivered an upbeat message to delegates after a year when Fine Gael was badly shaken by a string of misjudgements.