Enda Kenny ‘looking beyond’ FF in a bid to retain power

Caretaker Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fine Gael are to “look beyond” Fianna Fáil in a bid to form a government, after their hopes of a grand coalition were dashed.

In a desperate bid to a cling to power, Mr Kenny announced yesterday he is curtailing his US trip for the St Patrick’s Day festivities.

Fine Gael also announced its programme for Dáil reform, a move seen as an attempt to shore up support of Independents and smaller parties. “We don’t want to lose power, many of our guys remember the 14 long years in opposition,” said one Fine Gael figure.