Burton refuses to rule out future Labour leader role

The Minister for Social Protection says Labour are happy with Eamon Gilmore but admitted she would one day like to become the leader of the party.

The Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton says that the Labour party are happy with Eamon Gilmore but admitted that she would one day like to become the leader of the party.

Bruton was asked this morning if she had designs on becoming leader of the party and while admitting she always has an 'ambition', said the members are satisfied with Gilmore's performance.

"We have a leader and the members of the Labour party are happy with that leader. The issue doesn't arise.

"But I'm never without ambition, for all sorts of things.

"Let me say this, the most important thing for the Labour party, and may I say for Fine Gael and everybody else, is to get the country back on its feet," she said.