Speculation mounts of Noonan elevation to front bench

Speculation is mounting that former Fine Gael leader Michael Noonan may return to the party's front bench.

The party was rocked by this week's failed leadership challenge when former deputy leader Richard Bruton tried unsuccessfully to oust Enda Kenny as leader.

A new front bench will be announced next week, with Deputy Noonan increasingly tipped for a position.

Enda Kenny is leading a delegation to Stormont on Monday for talks with northern leaders. The delegation includes some of the party's dissidents, such as Fergus O'Dowd and Brian Hayes.

Meanwhile, Fine Gael Senator Frances Fitzgerald has dismissed any concern about a split in the party, saying the democratic vote of the parliamentary party, which Mr Kenny won, has been accepted by Kenny and Bruton supporters alike.