Enda’s contract built on shaky foundations

IN the course of an election campaign, promises are made that are sometimes difficult to keep, and I note that on at least two issues — delivery of new hospital beds and gardaí — Fine Gael’s numbers are being contested already as either unattainable, unbudgeted or both.

The difficulty for Enda Kenny is that a few weeks ago, I watched him stand up at his party’s árd fheis and give a solemn commitment — a contract in fact — that if he didn’t deliver in key areas like these, he would not stand again for election as Taoiseach in five years’ time — a much more serious pledge.

If such headline figures are in dispute already, how much credibility can we lend to the Fine Gael contract; and if that party’s entire election campaign revolves around its leader’s solemn pledge, what sort of shaky foundation does it stand on now?

Donnacha Maguire

35 Fr McCullen Park

Kells

Co Meath