Kenny fights back against rebel TDs: 'It’s not time to mess around'

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is prepared to fight any moves to remove him as Fine Gael leader as a growing number of backbenchers and Ministers say his position must be clarified sooner rather than later.

Allies of the Taoiseach insist he will stand his ground if any motion of no confidence is tabled and insist trouble is being created by only handful of TDs.

At the conclusion of the two-day Fine Gael think-in, Mr Kenny said this was not the time to “mess around” and create instability in the parliamentary party, citing serious issues such as the budget and Brexit.

A group of backbenchers are contemplating tabling a motion after the budget, although it is acknowledged that Mr Kenny would likely win. None of the main leadership contenders are likely to back any such motion.

One of the group of rebel TDs said they would nevertheless continue to “snipe away for six months until we can put one down again”, spelling out a determined effort by some to harry Mr Kenny.

Supporters of the Taoiseach do not believe a motion will be tabled, with many TDs angry that the question of his leadership has been raised once more.

“I sincerely hope that doesn’t happen,” said one minister of a possible motion. “He does not deserve that after all he has done for Fine Gael.”

Carlow-Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan, the chairman of the Oireachtas Budgetary Committee, last night added his voice to those calling for the leadership to be discussed, saying it must be dealt with after the budget.

‘Months of uncertainty’

“We had months of uncertainty following the election. We now have a Government in place. We have a budget in a month’s time. Enda Kenny has already said he won’t lead us into the next election . . .

“It is fairly obvious that election could happen at any time and once the budget is finished, we need to return to this subject.”

Waterford TD John Deasy, a long-time critic of Mr Kenny who has declined from making public comment on the leadership for a number of months, last night said: "This will come to a head by the end of the year and it must be dealt with."

At least one senior Minister is also expecting a motion of no confidence before Christmas, while another maintained that Mr Kenny will step aside by next summer and should be afforded time and space.

It is also understood that Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar was approached earlier this year by some TDs seeking his support for a motion of no confidence in Mr Kenny.

Mr Varadkar is understood to have told the group he would not support it.

Some Fine Gael sources believe that, if left too late, a leader- ship change could damage the party ahead of an election because of the significant structural changes needed.

Another Minister said: “It’ll have to happen immediately after the budget or it’ll never happen. And it’ll have to be a motion with 10 or 12 signatures.”

Fianna Fáil’s changed stance on water charges, with the party now backing outright abolition, has convinced some backbenchers that Micheál Martin is preparing for an election.