FORMER taoiseach Enda Kenny has admitted his battle with cancer has given him a “different perspective on life”, letting him “appreciate life and appreciate people”.
The ex-Fine Gael leader, who had an operation related to his cancer in 2022, is now in recovery from the disease.
And the 73-year-old, who ruled out a run for president, said the condition was a “shock to the system” but it had helped him gain a different outlook.
He added: “You understand that it’s about what we have, not what we want.”
Speaking to the Sunday Independent, he said: “I personally have met a thousand people who are walking around with a very good quality of life having been diagnosed with what would have been a death sentence 10 years ago.
“I learned to appreciate life and appreciate people because it [life] is actually a very short period. It’s about what you have and not what you want.
“It’s not a craving for wealth and all these things that matter to some people materially.”
On his life after politics, he said: “I haven’t taken a vow of total silence. Some things I will make a short comment on. But I leave the biting of microphones to others.
“I don’t miss it at all. I did 45 years of it and one of the things about politicians is that you have to understand that it’s a responsibility given to you for a period by the people. Use it to the best advantage in the people’s interests and then leave when you think you should.
“I could tell you a thousand stories, but the journalists and the historians will write the books. The record is there, it speaks for itself.”
Mr Kenny also said he has no plans to make a bid for the Áras later this year.
He added “I used to always say that I had a duty constitutionally to go out and advise the president of the day about political matters in the government and the Dail. But I never had any intention of attempting to become a tenant.”
Now he says he is enjoying “the things I always wanted to do”.
He said: “I like to read and travel and talk to people, and, you know, you don’t have to wear a collar and tie 24 hours a day.”
