Deleted line from speech sparks fresh speculation over Enda Kenny stepping down as Taoiseach

Enda Kenny has sparked fresh speculation over when he will step down after a draft version of his speech to a major event tonight initially said it would be his last St. Patrick's Day as Taoiseach - before the line was deleted entirely from the script, writes Political Correspondent Fiachra Ó Cionnaith in Washington DC.

In his first public confirmation of his imminent departure as head of Government, an initial draft of Mr Kenny's speech to the American-Ireland Fund Gala tonight was due to say he would not be in charge in 12 months' time.