Kenny 'not surprised' Kileen wasn't forced to resign

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said that he is not surprised that Junior Minister Tony Kileen was not forced to resign over comments he made about the release of Christopher Cooney.

Mr Cooney is serving a life sentence for the murder of Robert Lynch in Co Clare.

Robert's mother Nora has called on the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach to introduce new legislation to ensure that politicians consult with the victims of criminals before requesting their release.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has rejected the call, stating that structures already exist to protect victim's families.

According to Mr Kenny this wouldn't happen under a Fine Gael/Labour government: "This Government don't do resignations.

"I'm making it very clear that persons appointed to the next government, of Fine Gael and Labour, that we would set targets and objective and goals for each of those ministers, and where they clearly didn't measure up to the job they should face dismissal."