Click here to view a short film of Enda Kenny (size 64.3 mb)

Enda became Leader of Fine Gael in June 2002 and led the Party to triumph in the Local and European Elections of 2004, the Meath By-Election of 2005and the 2007 General Election, in which Fine Gael gained 20 seats

Following the Local Elections, Fine Gael became the driving force in Irish local democracy, with over 400 councillors serving their communities throughout the country.

The European Elections saw Fine Gael defeat Fianna Fáil in a national poll for the first time since 1927 when the Party won five seats in the European Parliament.

In the Meath By-Election, our candidate Shane McEntee scored a spectacular victory in a constituency where Fianna Fáil captured 46 per-cent of the vote in the 2002 General Election.

Enda Kenny addressing 5,000 delegates at the 72nd Fine Gael Ard Fheis at the Citywest Hotel, Dublin. You can view a short film of Enda by clicking on the link at the top of this page

Enda has represented the people of Mayo in Dáil Eireann since 1975, when he was first elected in a by-election following the death of his late father Henry Kenny. He has been returned at nine consecutive General Elections.

He has spelled out his vision of Fine Gael as a party of the progressive centre, focussing on the rights and responsibilities of all citizens.

Enda has also vigorously attacked the Government for its irresponsibility with the public purse, which has seen millions of Euro squandered though mismanagement, damaging the country’s economic and social fabric.

On his first day in the Dáil, the age of just 24, he was welcomed at the gates of Leinster House by then Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave and a huge crowd of supporters where he spelled out his political priority: "The greatest good for the greatest number."

He became a young Minister of State under Garret FitzGerald when he was appointed Junior Minister at the Department of Education and Labour. In opposition, he has held a number of Front Bench portfolios including Education, Western Development, Youth Affairs and Sport.

From 1994 to 1997 Enda represented Ireland on the World Stage as Minister for Tourism and Trade. He presided over a revolution in Irish tourism as the numbers visiting this country soared thanks to initiatives spearheaded by his Department. One example of Enda's hard work can be seen on the streets (and in the skies) of Dublin every March - a vastly improved St Patrick's festival and parade.

In the Trade area, Enda chaired the Singapore rounds of the World Trade Organisation talks in 1996, and headed the EU Council of Trade Ministers during Ireland's Presidency of the Union. Through the fostering of international trade, so crucial to the birth of the Celtic Tiger, Enda played a significant role in creating the economic boom that began under the last Fine Gael-led Government.

He has also served on many Oireachtas committees including Education and Science, Health and Children and, as a fluent Irish speaker, the Committee on the Irish Language.

Married to Fionnuala O'Kelly, Enda has three children - Naoise, Ferdia and Aoibhinn. Born and brought up in Castlebar, Enda still lives in the town and divides his time between Mayo and Dublin - as well as constantly touring the country (he visits every constituency in the country on a regular basis). A fan of Bruce Springsteen, Enda likes to hillwalk, play golf and cycle. He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of three Mayo charities in 2003, and cycled from Kerry to Donegal for charity in 2005.

In 2006, Enda was elected Vice-President of our European affiliate, the European People's Party and in the 2007 General Election Fine Gael enjoyed tremendous success under his leadership. gaining 20 seats.