Mullingar redivivus

Enda Kenny has broken his summer recess silence to suggest a two-term limit for Fianna Fail governments.

‘There’s no question of subverting the democratic process,’ the Mayo leader said. ‘The President isn’t allowed go for a third term. I see no good reason why this rule shouldn’t apply across the board.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has backed the Kenny idea. ‘It’s an issue that needs to be put to the people,’ he said. ‘At the very least an Oireachtas committee could be established to discuss it. Nothing whiles away the time like an Oireachtas committee.’

FF unveils ‘slightly’ rebranded name

Dermot Ahern was blaming the silly season. ‘It’s nothing. The media, as it does at this time every year, is trying its best to make a story out of nothing.’

But Enda Kenny was having none of it. ‘It’s a disgrace. It’s worse than the future of Zimbabwe,’ he said. Labour leader Eamon Gilmore drew comparisons with the most well-known Asian dictatorships.

FF’s decision to change its moniker from 'the republican party' to FF – the Permanent Party of Government has opposition parties fuming, but as usual, the public seems unconcerned.

Sitting in his constituency office on William Street, Tullamore the Taoiseach was critical of criticism: ‘It’s nothing new,’ said Mr Cowen. ‘It’s simply a recognition of something longstanding.’