Tension as Kenny refuses to clarify election date

Rising tensions between the coalition parties over the date of the election have forced Tánaiste Joan Burton to declare she is “not a quitter” and is confident the Government will run its full term.

Ms Burton held private talks with Enda Kenny yesterday and afterwards denied she and Labour were being “bounced” into going early, after speculation that the Taoiseach is leaning towards a November poll.

Mr Kenny later refused to say if he had reassured her that the election would be next year.