Senior Fine Gael figures including Kenny and Noonan urging Paschal Donohoe to contest leadership

Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Finance Minister Michael Noonan are among senior Fine Gael figures urging Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe to reconsider his decision not to contest the party leadership, once Mr Kenny steps down.

Mr Donohoe insisted yesterday that he would not contest the position, but confirmed he has been approached by colleagues to put his name into the mix for the leadership.

The news comes as Fine Gael descended into chaos yesterday with widely diverging views emerging as to what Mr Kenny should do.