Fine Gael and Sinn Féin ‘not the only options’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s claim that the next election would be a choice between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin has been dismissed as "simplistic" by a senior Labour minister amid signs of Coalition tension over talk of a "cut and run" national poll.

Communications Minister Alex White said it was his view that the Government would serve out its full term until early 2016, despite what many have seen as the Taoiseach preparing the ground for an earlier election.

“It is simplistic to seek to reduce the next election to a contest between any two parties,” Mr White told RTÉ.