Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has pledged full support for Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and declined to say whether the Taoiseach should stand down from the role this year.
Mr Varadkar said Mr Kenny had said he would not lead Fine Gael into the next election.
“And I know he is going to want to preserve his legacy as a great leader for Fine Gael,’’ he added.
“And he will know the right time to step down and ensure an orderly transition.’’
Asked on RTE's The Week in Politics if Mr Kenny would step down this year, Mr Varadkar replied: "No, that is a decision for him.''
He said Mr Kenny had been re-elected as Taoiseach just months ago.
“There is no vacancy and I fully support him,’’ he added.
“He has taken our party from an extinction level event in 2002 to the point where we are now the largest party in the State.’’
Mr Varadkar repeated his view that ruling out Sinn Féin as a future coalition partner in the future was a “red line’’ issue for him and the party.
“We are opposites in terms of policy,’’ he added.
He said Mr Kenny’s statement of clarification on the issue was very welcome, following his interview last week when he left open the possibility of a Fine Gael-Sinn Féin coalition in the future.
