Enda Kenny

Enda Kenny was born in Castlebar, Co. Mayo on 24 April 1951. He was educated in Castlebar and at St. Patrick's Teacher Training College, Drumcondra & University College Galway. He qualified as a Primary School Teacher.

Kenny first entered Dáil Éireann in 1975 following the vacancy of the Dáil seat in the constituency due to the death of his father. He has been elected at every election since then as a Fine Gael TD.

In the mid-1980's, he was a member of the Fine Gael delegation on the New Ireland Forum and later served on the British Irish Parliamentary Association. Kenny served as Minister of State at the Department of Education & Labour from 1986-1987. During hais period as a TD he has served as party spokesperson on Education, Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands, Western Development and Youth Affairs and Sport.

Enda Kenny negotiated, on behalf of Fine Gael, the Programme for Government with the Labour and Democratic Left parties prior to the formation of the Government in 1994. Kenny served as Minister for Tourism and Trade from 1994-1997 during the reign of that Coalition government, overseeing an unprecedented growth in tourism business, and Ireland's trade position internationally. As Minister he also chaired the European Union Council of Trade Ministers during Ireland's Presidency.

In May 2002, Enda Kenny was re-elected as a member of the 29th Dáil. In June of that year he became the Leader of Fine Gael following the resignation of Michael Noonan[?]. Enda Kenny is married with three children.