Pressure on Enda Kenny to vacate Fine Gael leadership

Disgruntled Fine Gael backbenchers are pressing for Taoiseach Enda Kenny to outline clearly when he will step down as party leader so plans to appoint a successor can get under way.

Several TDs also took to the airwaves yesterday and openly criticised the party direction after a disastrous week for Mr Kenny was topped off with dismal poll results for his party.

Senior Fine Gael figures are now admitting that a discussion on who takes over the leadership is inevitable and it is just a matter of when and how.