Simon Harris criticises FG rebels for adding to uncertainty

A senior Government Minister has strongly criticised those Fine Gael TDs who have called for Taoiseach Enda Kenny to resign.

He said they were contributing to instability and uncertainty within the party.

Minister for Health Simon Harris said on Monday it was "premature" for backbench TDs in the party to suggest Mr Kenny step down only two months into the Government's term.

He said the last thing the country or Fine Gael needed was “instability, navel-gazing and uncertainty”.

Mr Harris said it was his view the Taoiseach himself should decide when it was most appropriate to step down and that no timetable should be imposed on him.

“I would suggest that my position represents the overwhelming majority in the Fine Gael party that the Taoiseach has made clear he will step down at what he considers to be the most appropriate time.

“It’s not desirable to have a timetable. The Taoiseach has every right to be given space,” he said.

Asked about reports that backbench TDs will table a motion at Wednesday’s parliamentary party meeting, Mr Harris said it was very hard to comment on motions from un-named and anonymous sources.

“We were only put back into Government two months ago. It seems a bit premature for TDs who walked through the lobby to vote for Enda Kenny as Taoiseach two months ago to be now suggesting he be moved on.”

Asked would those close to Mr Kenny table a countervailing motion to express confidence in him, he responded: “At this stage it’s unlikely. The view [IS]that there is no point in dividing the party. It’s important that we have a discussion in which colleagues will express their opinion.”

Mr Harris said the priority of the Government and the Oireachtas should be the repercussions of the British decision to leave the EU.

“Brexit has been described by some as the biggest foreign policy challenge facing this country in decades.

“The last thing we need is instability, navel-gazing and uncertainty.

“The Taoiseach has only been re-elected. The Taoiseach is well placed to lead this country in Brexit negotiations.”

Asked about timetables he referred to the weakened position of David Cameron once he announced he was resigning.

“I don’t believe setting out a timetable would be helpful. We have seen what has happened in other jurisdictions once timetables were introduced.”