Joan Burton appoints Alan Kelly as election chief

Tánaiste Joan Burton has nominated Labour deputy leader and Minister for Environment Alan Kelly as the party's director of elections and chair of its national campaign committee for the next general election.

Mr Kelly's appointment will have to be ratified by the party's executive board. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin is to head up a strategy group to advise Ms Burton on the campaign while Galway West TD Derek Nolan will lead the preparation of the party's manifesto.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TDs are to be asked by the party's election strategy committee in the coming weeks if they intend running for the Dáil again.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald chairs the committee, which is gearing up is preparations for next year's general election.

The committee met yesterday and TDs will be asked to decide in the coming weeks whether they can stand again so work can begin on preparing party tickets. Selection conventions are expected to start in March.