TAOISEACH Enda Kenny was in his biggest rival Micheál Martin’s back yard today as the political theatre between the country’s two biggest parties reignited following months of relative harmony.
Mr Kenny was in Cork to attend the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland Annual Cork Business Lunch at the Maryborough Hotel.
The Taoiseach, US Ambassador, Kevin O’Malley, and Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Des Cahill, were welcomed to the event by the President of the American Chamber, Bob Savage.
Mr Kenny and the Fianna Fáil leader have renewed hostilities this week, with Mr Kenny firing back at Mr Martin over water charges.
He said Mr Martin’s bid to have water charges scrapped was a “new position” that was mere populism and signalled
his party’s intention to have them retained.
He derided Mr Martin’s suggestion that water charges be scrapped by saying it signalled that “everyone could leave their taps on” and that taxpayers would have to foot the bill if they were done away
with. He warned that Fine Gael would not roll over on the issue, saying Mr Martin “knows very well what our position
is.”
It is a sign that Fine Gael is fighting to restore its credibility following months of political commentary that suggested Mr Martin was the real power behind the throne in Irish politics as the fledgling minority Government struggled to hold itself together.
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