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

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

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Source: Julien Behal/PA Wire" title="">
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Source: AP Photo/Ng Han Guan" title="">
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7. 2011 general election

8. seanads and children’s referendum?

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Elected leader of Fine Gael on 5 June 2002

Losing the 2007 general election

Record results in 2009 local elections

The Fine Gael leadership contest

2011 General Election

The 2011 general election

The Queen's visit to Ireland

President Obama visit to Ireland

Speech on the Cloyne report

Getting a pat on the head from Sarkozy

Sharing a platform with Denis O'Brien

Wen Jiabao and Enda Kenny in China

Winning the Fiscal Compact referendum

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.