Political party think-ins underway

The political season gets into full swing today with the first of the major party think-ins.

Fine Gael will hold a two-day meeting of its parliamentary party in Fota Island, Cork, while Sinn Féin is holding a major party conference in Termonfeckin, Co Louth.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams and his team are expected to consider their campaigns in the three Dáil by-elections, and the current issues facing the Northern Ireland Executive.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny stated in Cork today that financial matters will be at the top of the Fine Gael agenda.

"The priority here is to take into account the opinions of all our public representatives - Dáil and Seanad and MEPs and so on," he said.

"We are talking now about putting in place a number of budgets up ahead to give the people clarity and a horizon against which they can plan their lives".

"Obviously we've quite a deal of work to do."