Enda Kenny to dismiss suggestions he will step down soon

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is expected to dismiss any suggestion of stepping down in the near future when he addresses his party’s TDs and Senators at a meeting in Leinster House tonight.

It is understood Mr Kenny will not outline a timetable for his departure as Fine Gael leader despite recent calls on him to do so from some members of the parliamentary party.

He will instead outline his priorities over the next few months, including a series of diplomatic engagements with European leaders and the passing of the budget after it is announced in October.

Sources have indicated Mr Kenny will make clear it is his intention to leave the party in a good position before announcing his resignation.

His close allies have told The Irish Times the Taoiseach will insist on time and space to allow Ministers to settle into their jobs.

One said: “He will be outlining the need for people to put their shoulder to the wheel. Ministers have only been elected two months ago.

“All the indications are he will be prioritising two blocks of work – the need for a diplomatic offensive, and the second biggest block is the budget.

“That would leave open the suggestion that he will step down by the end of the year, but he will not be that forthcoming.”

A senior party source said: “Logic states that indicating a timeline makes no sense. Even commentators are saying it. It’s especially true now given the challenges post Brexit. There is too much work to be done and Enda needs to be allowed get on with it.”

A number of Fine Gael TDs including Brendan Griffin (Kerry), Fergus O'Dowd (Louth), Jim Daly (Cork South-West) and Pat Deering (Carlow-Kilkenny) have called for Mr Kenny to outline when he intends to stand down.

Criticism

The agenda for tonight’s Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting does not include any motions relating to his leadership.

However, he is expected to speak following a week of criticism of the leadership.

He is likely to be supported by TDs in favour of him giving up the leadership at a time of his choosing.

A number of TDs were considering tabling a motion calling on Mr Kenny to outline a timetable for his departure, although the idea was quickly disowned by many in the parliamentary party.

Potentially divisive

Some Ministers also privately considered tabling a confidence motion in Mr Kenny, but this was also shelved because it would have been potentially divisive.

While Mr Kenny is expected to receive substantial support this evening, many Ministers and TDs privately say he should stand aside after the budget is passed before Christmas.

Speaking in Berlin yesterday, following a meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel, Mr Kenny said he was focused on securing the future of the country.

“We are in a position now where the Government is in situ and every Minister has a brief and a set of commitments to follow through. What I am interested in is that Ministers have time now to bed themselves in doing the departmental work we have to do to move the country forward.”

He added: “We have a great deal of work ahead, and I would like to think people will concentrate on those duties.”