Enda Kenny faces backlash after calling his constituents 'whingers'
The Fine Gael leader is facing a backlash over his comments amid opposition claims that they showed “arrogance” and a reluctance to recognise that the recovery has not spread to all parts of the country.
However, Fine Gael has insisted he was referring to rival politicians in the area and not voters themselves — despite the Taoiseach failing to clarify the situation himself yesterday afternoon.
Speaking at a rally in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on Saturday evening, Mr Kenny said that, despite local investment, some people continue to criticise him over the failure to stretch the recovery to Mayo.
“God knows we have some All-Ireland champions here in Castlebar,” he said, just five days out from the general election. “I don’t mean Castlebar Mitchell’s [the local GAA club]. I mean the whingers that I hear every week saying there’s nothing happening.”
Asked about the comments in west Clare yesterday, the Taoiseach said he did not regret them, saying that “some of them [critics] wouldn’t know sunshine if they saw it”.
He said the “whingers” referred to “locals” and was “nothing to do with national politics at all”.
However, one minister privately last night said the comments were “foolish”.
Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin also said he was “taken aback” by the “arrogance” of what Mr Kenny said.
Meanwhile, leading Independent candidates have revealed a ‘shopping list’ of demands if called upon to support a government after the general election.
Preliminary discussions between Finance Minister Michael Noonan and at least two outgoing TDs have also been held about supporting a coalition, the Irish Examiner has learned.
The priorities, some local and some national, are outlined today as the latest polls leave doubt about the main parties forming a government without the help of independents.
One Independent pledged to have any deal rubberstamped by a former judge. Some said commitments to fund local hospital units or infrastructure must be agreed in exchange for support.
Waterford TD John Halligan said he would need to see a full-time cardiac unit committed to University Hospital Waterford and a university for the South East finally agreed.
“I’d be murdered if the hospital issue is not sorted,” he said. “It would also be extremely difficult to back a government without it delivering a university status for here.”
Dublin Central TD Maureen O’Sullivan said local housing and community funding were priorities for her, if she is asked for support.
“There could be grants given to social housing units, for extensions,” she said. “Funding would need to be restored too to SAOL, Crinin, Bradog, and Swan [community groups]”
Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice said funds for health and rural issues were priorities. This included funding a full-time air ambulance helicopter and fairer distribution of CAP payments.
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae refused to say what his list of demands were. “In a week’s time, I may not be a member of Dáil Éireann,” he said. “Any decisions [on a deal] would be in the best interests of Kerry.”
However, he did confirm that he had held discussions with Mr Noonan last year about the possibility of working with the coalition after the election.
The Irish Examiner has learnt Roscommon-Galway TD Denis Naughten spoke with Mr Noonan late last year about supporting the coalition after the election.
Mr Naughten refused to comment on this. However, he did say that funding of emergency services locally would be a “priority” if his support was sought.
Independent Dublin Central candidate and councillor Christy Burke outlined his priorities and said: “Any deal would be done through a barrister or former judge and monitored monthly.”
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