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ten years on

10 years of Enda: the biggest moments of his career as FG leader

When Enda Kenny took over as leader of Fine Gael ten years ago this week, the role was seen as a poisoned chalice. Here’s what’s happened since then.
10.00am, 4 Jun 2012
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TEN YEARS AGO on Tuesday, Enda Kenny became the 10th leader of Fine Gael.

The party he took over was in a bad place. Previous leader Michael Noonan had resigned after little over a year as leader following the disastrous 2002 general election which had seen the party’s seats drop from 52 to just 32, as rivals Fianna Fáil came within touching distance of an overall majority.

When Kenny beat off competition from Phil Hogan, Gay Mitchell and Richard Bruton in the ensuing leadership contest, the role was seen as something of a poisoned chalice. The party was demoralised, broke and leaking members.

Fast forward ten years later and things have changed for both Enda and Fine Gael.

Here we take a look at the key moments of his career over the past decade.

10 years of Enda: the biggest moments of his career as FG leader
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  • Elected leader of Fine Gael on 5 June 2002

    Source: Haydn West/PA Archive/Press Association Images

  • Losing the 2007 general election

    Source: Julien Behal/PA Wire

  • Record results in 2009 local elections

  • The Fine Gael leadership contest

  • 2011 General Election

  • The 2011 general election

    Source: Julien Behal/PA Wire

  • The Queen's visit to Ireland

  • President Obama visit to Ireland

    Source: Niall Carson/PA Wire

  • Speech on the Cloyne report

  • Getting a pat on the head from Sarkozy

    Source: AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert

  • Sharing a platform with Denis O'Brien

  • Wen Jiabao and Enda Kenny in China

    Source: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan

  • Winning the Fiscal Compact referendum

    Source: Niall Carson/PA Wire

7. 2011 general election

8. seanads and children’s referendum?

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