Bruton to decide on leadership push

Fine Gael deputy leader Richard Bruton is expected to decide today whether he'll try and oust Enda Kenny as party head.

Deputy Bruton is this morning reported to have been canvassing party front benchers on whether they would back his bid to replace Kenny.

It is also understood that Deputy Bruton, the party's finance spokesperson, over the weekend asked Deputy Kenny to consider his position following disappointing opinion poll results last week.

However that was rebuffed by Deputy Kenny, who has led Fine Gael for the past eight years.

A statement insisted Deputy Kenny was determined to lead Fine Gael through the next election.

But privately Mr Bruton has been taking soundings from others and may be ready to make his move as soon as tomorrow, when a meeting of the shadow cabinet is scheduled.

While at the moment, many on the front bench are publicly backing Mr Kenny, Deputy Bruton has support from senior colleagues and those on the backbenches.

Fine Gael is also tomorrow to table a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Mr Cowen is expected to win that vote in the Dáil tomorrow evening, shoring up his leadership, despite rumblings from some Fianna Fáil backbenchers that a contest should take place.