Minister Simon Coveney tells RTÉ when we can expect Enda Kenny to step aside

Minister for Housing Simon Coveney has told RTÉ's The Week In Politics that he expects Taoiseach Enda Kenny will stand aside as leader of his party and his country after his March trip to Washington.

He said:

"I think after that you will see, I hope, a rather orderly a quick transition to a new leadership of Fine Gael and obviously a potential change in Taoiseach after that. But look. I trust the Taoiseach to use his own judgment on this, he's been around a long time, and my sense is that he will provide that certainty."

Coveney believes, however, that Kenny should represent Ireland on the traditional state visit to Washington DC for St. Patrick's Day, as so much planning has gone into it. https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/833290972930863104 Leo Varadkar has also spoken publicly about the leadership of his party, urging Enda Kenny to "settle" the issue. On the same programme, however, Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan seemed to suggest that a change in Taoiseach would dissolve the "confidence and supply" agreement between the two parties that saw Fianna Fáil abstain from last week's confidence of no motion — thus preserving the government. If this agreement were perceived to be voided, FF could vote against the government in a future motion of no confidence and force a general election. Long story short, this mess is far from over.