Enda Kenny to launch FG leadership bid

TD Enda Kenny will today launch his campaign to become the next leader of Fine Gael.

The Mayo deputy is so far the only pro-John Bruton candidate to emerge from the former leader’s overthrow.

Michael Noonan remains the front-runner in the race, which he and Jim Mitchell started with a successful motion of no confidence in Mr Bruton on Wednesday.

The pair are selling themselves as the best springboard to government for the party, which hasn’t won a general election since 1982, when the party won 70 Dail seats under Garret Fitzgerald's leadership.

Meanwhile, Chief Whip Charlie Flanagan and Dublin TD Frances Fitzgerald have yet to rule themselves out of the race.