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Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he will conclusively deal with his future as leader of Fine Gael following his return from the US for St Patrick's Day.
At this evening’s Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting, Mr Kenny gave a short speech and received a round of applause.
Minister for Housing Simon Coveney said Mr Kenny had shown an authority that would hopefully deliver a process and a transition that would be well managed that would keep the party together and the Government together. “More or less what I was hoping would happen did happen,” he said.
Mr Kenny did not specifically lay out a timeframe for his departure, but confirmed the contentious issue will be dealt with after he visits Washington DC.
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Achievements
Observers at the meeting of party TDs and senators in Leinster House said the Taoiseach spoke from written notes, and spoke very clearly and deliberately. His speech was eight to 10 minutes long and outlined the achievements of Fine Gael in office.
Mr Kenny said he wouldn’t be “bullied” by caucuses within the party - understood to be a reference to backbenchers agitating against him - and said he wasn’t afraid of a motion of no confidence.
Earlier, Dublin Rathdown backbench TD Josepha Madigan had asked for those attending the meeting to stay away from their phones.
Ms Madigan had submitted a request to be dealt with at the outset of the meeting aimed at reducing the number of leaks from the parliamentary party rooms.
A number of TDs have contemplated tabling a motion of no confidence in Mr Kenny’s leadership because they did not believe he would stand aside.
Such a motion would need the support of five TDs, Senators or MEPs. One cannot be taken at Wednesday’s meeting because it has not been submitted in time.
Authority
Given the similarity of the process outlined to that of his, Mr Coveney rejected the suggestion there was co-ordination or discussions between him and Mr Kenny in advance of the speech.
He said they had talked a few times but not in that way. “He rolled out something the party can accept and something that keeps his authority intact.”
He said Martin Heydon had chaired the meeting very well. Mr Coveney said he did not criticise anybody and that did not surprise him.
Pointing to his 42 years in the Dail, he said: “He is not fazed by these things and he showed calm and experience tonight.”
He said the note he struck showed his authority and experience and people expected that. “The vast majority of the party wanted things to pan out this evening as they did. We do not want public spats in the party.”