Pat Rabbitte: A decent man is leaving the political stage

Last year’s general election probably came a year too soon for Kenny

Pat Rabbitte and Enda Kenny at Leinster House in 1994Tony O’Shea

Enda Kenny is the longest-serving and most underestimated politician in Ireland. True, he never laid claim to the legacy of either Cicero or Keynes. In fact he is unusual among politicians in being largely without ego. But he is mentally tough, ruthless when necessary, and single-mindedly dedicated to punching in a working week that even confounds his critics.

His period as taoiseach has been bookended by the bailout and Brexit. One calamitous event ...