Kenny's support further dwindles as Flanagan declares for Bruton

Enda Kenny's position as leader of Fine Gael was coming under increasing pressure this evening as yet more parliamentary party members said they will not be supporting him.

Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan has told Deputy Kenny that he won't back him in tomorrow's confidence motion.

Earlier Limerick City TD Kieran O'Donnell, who was appointed the party's acting finance spokesman just two days ago, declared he was supporting Kenny's sole challenger Richard Bruton.

Deputy O'Donnell said he simply felt it was the right thing to do.

"There is a mood for change," he said.

"I think the best thing for us going forward is that Richard Bruton be our leader."

As lobbying intensified today ahead of tomorrow's parliamentary party meeting that will decide the future of Fine Gael, Deputy Bruton said he was sure the party would push for a change of leader and he would win.

“I’m not envisaging losing,” Deputy Bruton said.

“I believe that this country needs change. I believe the party has appetite for change."

Mr Bruton said he felt Mr Kenny had taken Fine Gael as far as he could and warned that the party was performing way below its potential.

The Mayo TD is widely credited with having rebuilt Fine Gael from the grassroots up after resounding defeats in the ballot box in 2002.

Mr Bruton, who was sacked as finance spokesman and deputy leader on Monday after refusing to publicly back his leader, rejected the offer of an olive branch to rejoin the front bench if Mr Kenny wins the confidence vote.

However speaking later, Deputy Kenny was equally confident in his assertions that he would win the day.

“I look forward to winning the vote tomorrow and leading the party into another successful election as I have done on three previous occasions,” Mr Kenny said.

“I have been extremely encouraged, not only from the support I have received within the parliamentary party, but from members and supporters all over the country.

“This volume of support will ensure that I will carry the motion tomorrow and lead Fine Gael into the next election and, after, to the Taoiseach’s office.”

The two sides of the parliamentary party will go head-to-head tomorrow at 11am when the 51 TDs, 15 Senators and four MEPs vote on whether to keep Mr Kenny at the helm.