Minister: There's a good chance Enda Kenny could lead the country until 2021

Brian Hayes has played down his Fine Gael leadership ambitions and indicated that Enda Kenny could become the first leader of the party to secure back-to-back election victories in 2016.

JUNIOR MINISTER BRIAN Hayes has said that it is possible that Enda Kenny could make history and lead his party to another election win in 2016, becoming the first Fine Gael Taoiseach to win back-to-back elections.

“Enda Kenny is in a very strong position as leader of this country,” Hayes told TheJournal.ie this week, playing down his own political ambitions, saying he did not foresee himself ever becoming leader of the party.

“I think there is a good chance that he will be re-elected. I think there’s a good chance of him being the first Fine Gael Taoiseach ever to have back-to-back victories,” Hayes said.

But he did express an ambition to be in Cabinet and highlighted the education portfolio – currently held by Labour’s Ruairí Quinn – as one ministerial brief he would like to hold in the future:

YouTube: Thejournalvideo

Hayes also discussed his dislike of Twitter saying he “couldn’t be bothered” with telling people what he has had for breakfast:

YouTube: Thejournalvideo

- camera and editing by Michelle Hennessy and Nicky Ryan

Gerry Adams: ‘I’ll certainly lead Sinn Féin into the next election’

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More