LATEST: It is being claimed that some of those backing Leo Varadkar in the Fine Gael leadership contest have switched sides.

Fine Gael polling stations opened last night for the race to succeed Enda Kenny.

Fine Gael leadership hopeful Leo Varadkar dismissed reports he refused to continue as health minister in the new government, as he launched proposals to speed up the recovery in rural Ireland.

At least two Leo Varadkar supporters are set to switch sides and vote for Simon Coveney members of his team have claimed.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has dismissed fears of a damaging party rift in Fine Gael after he was accused by his leadership rival of “divisive and dishonest” politics during last night’s heated final hustings event, writes Eoin English.

LATEST: Health Minister Simon Harris says he is not losing sleep over whether he will be dropped from cabinet if Leo Varadkar is elected Taoiseach

Leo Varadkar, his rival to replace Enda Kenny, has so far had more support from Fine Gael Ministers.

Just as well Leo Varadkar provided water — and no charges, says Lise Hand.

Self-described “underdog” Simon Coveney received a significant boost to his flagging campaign, as it has emerged he is the preferred choice of voters to lead Fine Gael over Leo Varadkar.

At the Red Cow Hotel, “underdog” Simon Coveney has come out fighting for the man in the sleeping bag on the street, as well as the businessmen, during the first of the Fine Gael leadership hustings.

Elaine Loughlin rounds up both candidates’ key messages...

Latest: Simon Coveney would establish a new anti-corruption and transparency commission to respond to whistle-blowers if elected leader of Fine Gael.

Enda Kenny is expected to outline his plans for stepping down at tonight's parliamentary party meeting.

It could seek a coalition with Sinn Féin but that would require Napoleonic verve, writes Gerard Howlin

Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar will this week significantly boost their campaigns and policy suggestions in the race to replace Enda Kenny as leader of Fine Gael.

As Enda Kenny’s reign nears its end, Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes outlines the requirements for his replacement, and says history will be kind to his current party leader

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has received a double boost in terms of declared supporters for his bid to become Fine Gael leader.

Simon Coveney is viewed by some within the Fine Gael party as being the best candidate to run the country following the end of Enda Kenny’s tenure as Taoiseach, but the dilemma facing the party is that Leo Varadkar is viewed by others as being more likely to attract votes for Fine Gael, writes Daniel McConnell, Political Editor

The frontrunners to replace Enda Kenny as Taoiseach have failed to disclose whether they would retain Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald in the Cabinet.

Next Thursday, we are likely to see both men relocate en masse with their teams to some swanky hotel near the Dáil to announce their candidacy, writes Daniel McConnell.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney holds a 14 to nine lead in terms of support from Fine Gael senators and MEPs in the race to succeed Enda Kenny, it was claimed yesterday.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told his parliamentary party that he will address the issue of the Fine Gael leadership next week at a meeting in Leinster House.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney has been accused of being “panicked” and engaging in negative campaigning by supporters close to Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar.

An angry Enda Kenny lashed out at media questions over his pending departure at a frosty press conference in Montreal last night.

Speculation on the future leadership of Fine Gael has resurfaced after Enda Kenny said he would speak to his party “soon” on the matter.

Health Minister Simon Harris has refused to be drawn on who he is backing to replace Enda Kenny as Taoiseach, despite reports he has attended closed-doors meetings of Housing Minister Simon Coveney’s campaign team.

The two favourites to take over from Taoiseach Enda Kenny are divided on whether the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform should be scrapped.

Simon Coveney and Leo Varadkar may want to be the new broom that sweeps Fine Gael clean, but Enda Kenny was retaining a firm grip on the handle at the Cruinniú na Cásca festivities.

Simon Coveney has warned of a potential bitter split within Fine Gael when the leadership contest begins.

There was a giddy air in the Dáil chamber as we entered yesterday at 11.55am for the daily set piece of Leaders’ Questions.

The Housing Minister says he expects there will be a change in the leadership of Fine Gael before the summer, but it will not happen this month.

The leadership contest has effectively been going on for over a year, points out Alison O’Connor.

Grand-coalition would be a selfeating ebola, and leave its advocates more discomforted than ever, writes Gerard Howlin

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has risked deepening the increasingly bitter Fine Gael war over when he will step down by saying he has no intention of leaving until the Northern Ireland political crisis is resolved.

If you wanted to start a Make Enda Great Again campaign, then you could think of worse times to do it than a day after befriending Donald Trump and in the middle of a celebration for an old man who banished the snakes of Ireland.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has ruled out resigning until after Northern Ireland's political parties form a new government - effectively delaying his already drawn-out departure until early summer.

Enda Kenny has sparked fresh speculation over when he will step down after a draft version of his speech to a major event last night initially said it would be his last Patrick’s Day as Taoiseach — before the line was deleted entirely from the script.

Enda Kenny has sparked fresh speculation over when he will step down after a draft version of his speech to a major event tonight initially said it would be his last St. Patrick's Day as Taoiseach - before the line was deleted entirely from the script.

This prolonged game of when he will or won’t stand down is long become a costly joke which is being played on the public, writes Daniel McConnell.

Housing Minister Simon Coveney’s supporters are privately claiming a small victory after Health Minister Simon Harris formally ruled himself out of the Fine Gael leadership contest.

Simon Harris rules himself out of Fine Gael leadership battle

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has given a strong signal that he intends delaying his departure from office until May at least.

Would-be taoiseach Simon Coveney has said he hopes the “commentary” surrounding the Fine Gael leadership contest will be about ideas, vision, and drive rather than any candidate’s personal life.

Fine Gael leadership hopeful Leo Varadkar has said he is willing to enter TV debates with other contenders.