Kenny stops the 'Yes' bus in Mullingar

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was given a warm welcome at the Harbour Centre in Mullingar after he stopped off to greet supporters of the Yes to Europe campaign.Mr Kenny was welcomed by local Fine Gael councillors Frank McDermott, Colm Arthur as well as town council leader Ruth Illingworth and Deputy James Bannon and a large crowd of well wishers.The party leader spent over two hours with his supporters and heard concerns voiced over NAMA which many people feared would further hike up tax rates.Mr Kenny told the crowds that a Yes to Lisbon was now "essential" to Ireland's recovery and pointed out that over one million jobs had been created since Ireland had joined the EU.Deputy James Bannon said that the party leader was now surely "Taoiseach in waiting" as people would reject the government in the next election."He is on the road 24/7 to get this vote in," said Mr Bannon. "As he said a Yes vote will mean that we will have access to the EU's €5 billion recovery fund and will retain our place as a gateway to Europe."Enda proved how popular he is with people in the Midlands as he is everywhere and he has time for a word with everyone."Mr Kenny also stepped into a protest on the possible axing of the rural transport scheme and stopped to listen to concerns voiced by those who use the buses."This something that will be looked at together with a lot of other things during the government's budget this year," said the Fine Gael leader. "The most important thing now is that we secure a Yes vote to maintain Ireland's position and strength in Europe," he said.His sentiments were echoed by town council chief Ruth Illingworth who said that voting yes was perhaps the only area of agreement between her party and the government. "Ireland has done well from Europe," she said. "We should not forget that and we must now make sure that we vote yes and ensure that our position is maintained. This is coming from someone who has actually read the treaty, I believe that the Taoiseach had not taken the opportunity before the last vote," she quipped. Councillor Illingworth also said that she was delighted to have welcomed the Fine Gael leader to Mullingar."He got a great response and we were very pleased at the warmth that was shown towards him," she said.