Joan Burton not concerned with her challengers

Tánaiste Joan Burton has insisted she plans to remain as Labour party leader after the general election despite growing pressure from a number of senior TDs who are vying to replace her.

Ms Burton made the comments as she said she has a “very positive relationship” with her own deputy leader Alan Kelly — but side-stepped questions on whether he is more loyal than she was to her predecessor Eamon Gilmore.

Speaking to reporters as part of a wide-ranging Christmas interview, Ms Burton said despite ongoing interest in whether she will continue if Labour suffers a general election crash, she is confident of remaining in charge.

In recent weeks a number of senior party colleagues — including Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan and junior Jobs Minister Ged Nash — have confirmed they would be interested in leading Labour in the future.

However, despite Environment Minister Alan Kelly also being repeatedly suggested as a future challenger, Ms Burton said she believes she will continue past the expected February vote.

“I plan to remain as Labour party leader, obviously subject to what happens in the election. I certainly look forward to continuing to lead the Labour party,” she said.

Asked about her relationship with her deputy Mr Kelly, Ms Burton said she and the Environment Minister have “a very strong, very positive relationship” but that his “primary job is to win his seat in Tipperary”.

Asked whether she is comfortable with colleagues voicing their own future leadership ambitions, she said her attitude is “let 100 flowers bloom”.

While a return to power is likely to stave off criticism of her time in charge, Labour’s party constitution states that it will automatically hold a leadership contest after any election in which it does not enter government.