Kenny praises Irish elections record

TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny praised what he described as "a record of the judgment of the Irish people" at a reception to mark the publication of The Irish Times Nealon's Guide to the 31st Dáil and 24th Seanad.

The guide is published by Gill Macmillan.

Addressing a large gathering in Leinster House last night, Mr Kenny said the guide, produced after every general election since 1973, had become a “veritable institution” in Irish politics.

The election in February had produced a “seismic result in terms of the shift in Irish politics”, Mr Kenny said.

“Irrespective of one’s party politics, it is very important that there be people to stand for people when times are difficult,” he added.

Praising the guide, Mr Kenny said: “It is a record of the judgement of the Irish people. It is also a record against which the Government will have to stand and do its duty.”

Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said the State was fortunate to have politicians that were so committed to serving the public, “and I sincerely hope also that the Government as an executive will also see to it that parliament is . . . paramount in so far as the executive decisions are answerable to parliament”.

The editor of The Irish TimesKevin O'Sullivan said the Government had made considerable commitments to political reform.

“There has been undoubted progress, but a lot still needs to be done. The full range of reforms as promised, combined with enhanced accountability and transparency, is not an unreasonable request given what this country has gone through in terms of failure to adequately safeguard its citizens and ensure State institutions fulfil the role designated to them,” Mr O’Sullivan said.

He said a great step towards restoring the credibility of politicians could be taken by “embracing” the comprehensive programme of reform.

"The Constitutional Convention can become a crusade and provide cornerstones for a new republic. For my part, The Irish Timesand irishtimes.com will facilitate the debate every step along the road with inclusivity; reflecting the considered views of all parties and participants," he added.

The Irish Times'political editor Stephen Collins described the series of guides as a unique resource for anybody interested in politics over the last four decades.

“Some of the information contained in the guides may be on the internet somewhere, but to have all the election counts along with the biographies of all the TDs and senators since 1973 collected in 12 easily accessible volumes on a bookshelf, I think beats the internet hands down.”