Kenny survives - Rebuilding credibility is the challenge

ENDA KENNY’S tenacity won the day yesterday, but whether it is sufficient to win much else remains to be seen. In so many ways, maybe even too many, this is the very worst possible result for Fine Gael.

They have shown great disunity and whether they can, with any real credibility, shake off the consequences of that in time to mount the kind of electoral challenge that was expected, remains to be seen too.

Already the process of trying to woo some of the 11 frontbench rebels, to make themselves available and serve under Mr Kenny again, has begun. This will be especially difficult for Richard Bruton who, despite yesterday’s defeat, remains one of the few politicians whose economic analysis is persistently convincing. He may have to sacrifice considerable personal capital if he is asked to serve under Mr Kenny again, though it is far from certain that this invitation will even be extended.