Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced his intention to retire as leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight tonight, writes Daniel McConnell.
Mr Kenny has addressed the Fine Gael parliamentary party a short time ago and is said to be “quite emotional”.
The meeting is said to have lasted less than fifteen minutes.
In a statement on his Twitter account, Mr Kenny said he was honoured and privileged to have served as leader since 2002.
Taoiseach @EndaKennyTD announces he will retire as leader of @FineGael from midnight tonight - take a look back at his career #Enda #CBLive pic.twitter.com/ThCunjq4Fz
— RTÉ ClaireByrneLive (@ClaireByrneLive) May 17, 2017
His statement said: “I have decided to implement that decision today.
Therefore, I will retire as leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight tonight.
I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael election process.
— Enda Kenny (@EndaKennyTD) May 17, 2017
I have asked that the FG executive council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business Friday June 2nd.
I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full.
I intend to provide a brief but appropriate period for my successor to engage with groups and members supportive of Government, and with other parties in the Dail regarding of the provision of Government for the future.
I would like to stress the huge honour and privilege it has been for me to lead our party for the past 15 years, in Opposition and into government on two successive occasions.
I thank all our members, past and present for that privilege.
I thank all my loyal constituents and supporters in Mayo for their unstinting loyalty since 1975 and for their support for my family previously in providing unbroken service to the county in Dail Eireann since 1954.
I thank my personal staff for their commitment over many years to their duties.
I especially want to thank my wife Fionnuala, our children, my siblings and their families for their understanding of my work, and indeed for accepting the many intrusions of politics into family life in the interests of building our country.
I could not have engaged as I did without that base. Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Fine Gael officials are preparing plans for a shorter 16-day campaign in order to conclude the leadership contest by the June bank holiday weekend.
It comes as the Irish Examiner has learned that the four regional hustings will be broadcast live on Facebook.
The party's national executive will meet today to formally move to open the process for nominations to be accepted.
.@EndaKennyTD will be remembered as Taoiseach of the Government that brought the country back from the brink. Did his country much service https://t.co/HRDzNeQVGh
— Brendan Howlin (@BrendanHowlin) May 17, 2017
This window for nominations will last for three days so that means nominations will close Saturday evening.
It will require 10% of the parliamentary party or 8 TDs, senators or MEPs to nominate a candidate.
Then a series of regional hustings will take place around the country.
Those hustings will take place in Dublin, Cork, Galway and somewhere in the midlands will begin towards the end of next week.
