Jmaes Reilly warns against ‘flashy’ replacement for Taoiseach Enda Kenny

Fine Gael deputy leader James Reilly has warned colleagues not to replace Taoiseach Enda Kenny with a “flashy” rival in an apparent attack on Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar’s leadership ambitions.

Mr Reilly said the reality is “people have had a painful experience of flashy leadership in the past” and that “there is no substitute for hard work and honest endeavour”.

In a staunch defence of Mr Kenny’s time in power, he urged colleagues not to buy into “flashy leadership” alternatives.