Enda Kenny warns new FG leader: 'You will have to dedicate your life to the job'

Enda Kenny has stepped down as leader of Fine Gael.

Kevin Doyle Twitter Email

June 02 2017 09:12 AM

OUTGOING Taoiseach Enda Kenny has warned his potential successors that they will have to "dedicate their life" to the job if they take over his office.

Mr Kenny was tweeting his best wishes to Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney before 7am today.

Fine Gael TDs, senators and MEPS began voting in the leadership contest at 8am this morning, with the final results expected by 6pm.

Mr Kenny said he remembers this day almost 15 years ago and “the sense of excitement and possibility”.

“On this very important day in their lives, I want to wish both Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar every good wish in today’s election.”

The Mayo TD said the ministers engagement in the internal election “has been democratically valuable and has energised the Fine Gael party across the country”.

“I pledge my full support to whoever is elected, in the important work at Government level, to which the new leader will have to dedicate their life in service of the people of this great Republic.”

He concluded: “My enduring belief in the potential of this country is boundless.”