IT was gloves off in Kilkenny on Thursday night as an angry Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny, laid down markers for the Taoiseach elect Brian Cowen and his cabinet.
The Fine Gael leader warned that he was not going to be kicked around by anyone.
Reacting to a Dail rebuke earlier that day from Tanaiste Brian Cowen, Deputy Kenny declared that his qualifications and ability were borne from the 11 occasions in whi
ch the people of Mayo had returned him to Dail Eireann in general elections.
Deputy Kenny told a large gathering at a Carlow/Kilkenny Party constituency dinner in the Newpark Hotel that he knew the difference between right and wrong.
"I know what conscience is," he said. "You don't need ethics or legislation to tell you that to take 30,000 across a counter in a bag is wrong," he said to a huge cheer from the hundreds gathered in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny.
"No minister has the courage to stand up and say he (Bertie Ahern] was wrong to do that. That's my job. I did that and I will continue to do it."
Warning the incoming taoiseach that he will have to answer constitutionally to the people, Deputy Kenny added that "smart remarks or vindictiveness will not go down very well".
"I am not going to be kicked around by anyone," he said. "We'll stand with the people, by the people and for the people, which is what we were elected to do".
Welcoming the resignation of Bertie Ahern, Deputy Kenny said "it was better that it occurred now rather than in 12 months time."
"Let's get on with the business of politics, of arguing the issues that count – there is no interest in personality bashing. We will stick this government to the issues that count every day of the week".
Tanaiste Cowen said earlier the same day that it was "too facile" to raise the issue of a 76-year-old woman lying on a hospital trolley. Deputy Kenny responded in Kilkenny that "politics is about people - first and last".
"That was the kind of politics I was born into. That is the kind of political philosophy I have. That is the kind of political philosophy that Fine Gael are going to continue to make strides on in the next 12 months".
Eleven former Fine Gael Carlow/Kilkenny Dail and Senate election candidates were honoured at a banquet in Newpark Hotel last week.
Former candidates honoured
Mr Kenny made presentations to former TD Kieran Crotty (Dail), Cllr Dick Dowling (Dail) , Andy Cotterell (Dail), Cllr Paul Cuddihy (Senate), Cllr Billy Ireland (Senate) and Pat Dowling (Senate) who stood in Oireachtas elections.
