Fine Gael Ard Fheis: Return Coalition for the sake of the recovery, urges Enda Kenny

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has urged voters to return the Coalition for the sake of the recovery as two senior ministers ruled out alternatives and insisted no pre-election talks with Independents have taken place.

As the Fine Gael leader opened the party’s high-profile two-day ard fheis amid concerns over a gun cartridge find at the site, Finance Minister Michael Noonan and Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney claimed no alternatives are being sought.

Speaking as he arrived at the meeting, Mr Noonan told reporters that claims Fine Gael would consider an alternative to Labour are incorrect.