Fine Gael leader wins confidence vote

Enda Kenny has retained the leadership of Fine Gael, the party said today.

Chairman Padraic McCormack revealed that a motion of confidence in Mr Kenny, put forward by himself, was carried by the 70-strong parliamentary party.

Mr Kenny had lost the support of the majority of his front bench and is expected to reshuffle his Shadow Cabinet next Monday.

Mr McCormack refused to disclose the margin of Mr Kenny's victory.

He said only himself and Senator Paschal Donohoe knew the result of the ballot and both had been sworn to secrecy.

The chairman said the leadership heave, instigated by Mr Kenny’s former number two, was now closed.

“That's absolutely the end of the matter,” Mr McCormack said.

“Our job now is to get down and ensure Fine Gael gets back to where we were.

“It’s been a tough week for us, damaging, damaging to the party, but we can recover from that.”

The five-hour meeting in Leinster House was described as cordial and good natured, as 45 members of the parliamentary party gave their views for and against Mr Kenny.

“I‘ve no doubt we will recover from that as we have from any low points before,” Mr McCormack said.

The Chairman said Mr Kenny received a standing ovation at the end of the meeting and was congratulated by party members after his victory.

He also shook hands with the party‘s former second in command and respected Finance Spokesman Richard Bruton.

Mr McCormack said it was his own personal wish to see Mr Bruton back on the front bench and in control of the crucial economics portfolio.