A group of backbench TDs has maintained pressure on Taoiseach Enda Kenny's leadership of Fine Gael, with some again calling for a timeframe for his departure.

Mr Kenny made a speech at the weekly meeting of the Fine Gael parliamentary party on Wednesday in which he outlined his priorities as Taoiseach and party leader but gave no indication of when he will step down.

There was criticism of Mr Kenny's appointment last week of James Reilly as deputy leader of the party. Dr Reilly also addressed the meeting with sources saying he urged everyone to "work together".

Despite Mr Kenny’s allies wishing to draw a line under questions about his leadership, which first publicly surfaced the same meeting last week, five TDs questioned either his position or his appointment of Dr Reilly. The Taoiseach did not answer questions about Dr Reilly.

The TDs were Cork South West's Jim Daly, Carlow-Kilkenny's John Paul Phelan, Louth's Fergus O'Dowd, Kerry's Brendan Griffin and Waterford's John Deasy.

‘Hard stuff’

One of those who spoke out at the meeting privately said it was significant that a group of TDs had not backed down. “It was not a shouting match. But it was hard stuff. Nobody ran away.”

The moves are not seen, however, as having a major bearing Mr Kenny’s position in the immediate future. When asked what would happen as a result, one TD said: “It’s going nowhere fast.” Another described the meeting as a “nil all draw” between the rebels and loyalists.

Mr Kenny also offered to meet those who raised concerns for a coffee and was last night seen having dinner with Mr O’Dowd, Dr Reilly and Carlow Kilkenny’s Pat Deering, another who has been critical of his leadership.

Mr O’Dowd repeated his call from last week for a transition period to a new Fine Gael leader while Mr Griffin also stuck to his position from earlier this week that a new leader should be in place by September.

Sources at the meeting said there were tense exchanges between Mr Kenny and Mr O’Dowd, with the Taoiseach reportedly questioning the Louth deputy’s loyalty. It led Mr O’Dowd, who was previously sacked by Mr Kenny, to reply: “Don’t talk to me about loyalty.”

Mr Deasy also criticised the appointment of Dr Reilly and said it angered rank and file party members. Kildare North TD Bernard Durkan said the position of deputy leader was a “side issue” but Mr Deasy disagreed with him.

Failed

Mr Deasy said members would not take advice on how to win Dáil seats from Dr Reilly, someone who failed to get re-elected himself.

Dr Reilly expressed his frustration at Mr Deasy’s comments and also said his position was being used by some members to attack Mr Kenny. He said he would not be standing down as deputy leader.

Minister of State and Dublin South Central TD Catherine Byrne said such discussions should not take place at party meetings because they would divide the party. She also claimed that anyone with a complaint should leave the party.

It is understood Mr Daly strongly disagreed with this, saying he was elected and would discuss whatever he wished. He said there was huge grassroots anger over the appointment of Dr Reilly, and that he was “duty bound” to raise it.

Mr Daly said a “culture of fear” must be lifted from the party rooms and the leadership should now be discussed.

Mr Daly said that if he put down a motion on Dr Reilly’s appointment and everyone voted how they honestly felt about it , he knew what the result will be.