Kenny prepares Fine Gael for future General Election

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is to put his party on a General Election footing later today.

Kenny will announce the move when the Parliamentary Party gathers in Waterford for a think-tank ahead of the return of the Dáil at the end of the month.

Throughout the summer Fine Gael strategists have been frantically put together an election plan.

From selection conventions, to policy and even a leader's tour once an election would be called will be proposed to the Parliamentary Party today for approval.

The economy and banking will also be centre stage, with the former head of the National Treasury Management Agency Michael Somers as a guest speaker.

The party is keen to point out that two years ago it wanted Anglo Irish Bank wound down, adding that is where the Government is now moving to "€24bn later".