Fine Gael Leader’s Presidential Address - Speech by Enda Kenny TD - March 20th 2010

[hiding behind a poster]

Reads like some tripe Mary McAleese would put together. All Celtic spirit and reawakenings.

Platitudes after platitude. Investing in education is a good thing, we need to focus on job creation, imaginary "normal couples" created to emphasise a point...

That's the "vision thing". Every Ard Fheis speech is part-political speech, part "vision thing". Because you're addressing a less political audience than you are the rest of the year.

He should have the courage to accuse FF of corruption and promise to fire any incompetent FG Ministers. Talk about the hard economic times we have to face in budget cuts and how FG won't shirk the challenge. Talk about how property developers won't be at the centre of our policy making and how political gombeenism will be tackled.

Er, he's already done all that.

Instead we get a speech that could have been written anytime in the past 20 years.

Nonsense. He's already talked about NewEra, Faircare, Anglo and Tallaght Hospital. All current issues.

[Baron von Biffo]

And when there's not enough consultants or radiologists?

[hiding behind a poster]

And when there's not enough consultants or radiologists?

What's your point?

[tonic]

I'm sure the Consultants are running scared at this little gem:

"This means that if you are a consultant, you will not be paid until you have read the GP’s letters and have responded to them.

The X-ray Department will not be paid until the radiologists there have read the X rays that they are supposed to have read."

You can see how that's going to go down with the health care vested interests, but no bother to Enda, sure hasn't he done it all before.

[Mr.Ograff]

He slipped up there by saying he'll sort the house etc. Not enough emphasis and waiting for applause dosent reflect well.

[Baron von Biffo]

What's your point?

Populist sound bites wont staff any radiology departments.

[hiding behind a poster]

You can see how that's going to go down with the health care vested interests, but no bother to Enda, sure hasn't he done it all before.

Well obviously you'd prefer the FF approach, Tony - "if in doubt, don't take on vested interests". I think the people are looking for better than that.

[Baron von Biffo]

Rural electrification

[hiding behind a poster]

Populist sound bites wont staff any radiology departments.

I never said they did, and nor did Kenny. I still don't see how that relates to this speech, though.

[Sailor]

What's your point?

How's he going to tackle overworked Radiologists when he won't say a word against the industrial action ongoing in the public service?