Opinion

Spotlight on Enda Kenny

The emergence of a new administration in Dublin - almost ten weeks after the Irish general election - is long overdue so there will be considerable relief over the agreement which has finally been reached between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil .

All the indications are that a Fine Gael-led minority government, which is likely to include a number of independent TDs, will be confirmed in office later this week, with Fianna Fáil members abstaining during the Dail vote.

This would mean the re-election of Enda Kenny as taoiseach, and the introduction of tax cuts and public spending increases, as well as a compromise over the bitterly resisted water charges, which would effectively signal the end of the existing austerity policies in the Republic.

Mr Kenny, as the leader of the largest party, had a legitimate claim to retain his post, but Fine Gael's generally disappointing performance in the election, as well as Labour's continuing decline, meant that the outgoing coalition was no longer an option.

There was speculation about a range of previously unthinkable possible permutations between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, but a separate understanding with the large number of independents always appeared to be Mr Kenny's preferred outcome.

He was eventually facilitated in his aim by Fianna Fáil 's decision, in return for a number of assurances, to ensure the passing of the next three budgets, guaranteeing stability until 2018 when arrangements will be reviewed.

Mr Kenny is set to make history by becoming the first ever Fine Gael taoiseach to serve consecutive terms, but he will be well aware that his position depends on the endorsement of the Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin .

It is clear that Mr Martin has been responsible for the renaissance of a party which has previously appeared to be doomed, and his struggle with Sinn Féin, which has also been growing steadily, to become the dominant opposition force in Leinster House will be fascinating to watch.

However, the immediate priority for Mr Kenny, assuming that his nomination is successful, will be to encourage the continuing recovery of the Irish economy after an immensely difficult period.

He also needs to closely monitor developments in the UK's forthcoming EU referendum, in the knowledge that any withdrawal would have potentially disastrous consequences on both sides of the Irish border.

Mr Kenny has proved himself to be a durable leader, who has frequently been underestimated by his opponents, but he will not be short of challenges in the coming months.

He may well opt for retirement sooner rather than later, and his potential successors in the senior ranks of Fine Gael are already positioning themselves to replace him.