Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny used his party’s weekend Árd Fheis to deliver a powerful speech and signal he is ready to lead the country, writes political editor Harry McGee.

Fine Gael and Labour will discuss forming the next government today amid heavy criticism that they have no policies.

A LONG and bruising general election campaign was signalled last night as the rainbow parties unveiled plans for a “spoiler” summit to clash with Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary meeting.

THE first volleys were fired last night in what may turn out to be the longest election campaign in Irish political history when Fianna Fáil and the opposition mounted blistering attacks on each other’s policies and trustworthiness.

ENDA KENNY and Pat Rabbitte travelled to Westmeath last Monday to launch an agreement reached between their respective party members on the local county council.