Not many politicians have broken down in Dáil Eireann. Kenny, as Taoiseach, did so on one occasion in February 2013.
Two weeks after receiving a report into the treatment of women who lived in Magdalene Laundries, he stood up to give a personal apology to the survivors - many of whom sat in the gallery above him.
With tears in his eyes, and a quiver in his voice, he addressed them by saying, "Let me conclude by again speaking directly to the women whose experiences in Magdalene Laundries have negatively affected their subsequent lives.
"As a society, for many years we failed you. We forgot you or, if we thought of you at all, we did so in untrue and offensive stereotypes.
"This is a national shame, for which I again say, I am deeply sorry and offer my full and heartfelt apologies."
TheJournal.ie is an Irish news website that invites its users to shape the news agenda. Read, share and shape the day’s stories as they happen, from Ireland, the world and the web.
Submit your clips to video@thejournal.ie
Stay up to date with all of the latest videos by subscribing to our channel: www.youtube.com...
Download our free iOS app: itunes.apple.c...
Download our free Android app play.google.co...
Twitter: thejournal_ie
Facebook: TheJournal.ie
Instagram: thejournal_ie
Snapchat: thejournal.ie