Taoiseach to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel today

At an event at the Sacred Heart Hospital and care home in Castlebar, Co Mayo, Mr Kenny ruled out an early departure and said his focus has always been on securing Ireland’s future.

The Taoiseach’s comments were made in response to a specific question on when he intends to step down as leader and when party colleagues will be informed of the schedule for a takeover before the next election – issues which he failed to answer in his response.

“We have a great deal of work to do in the time ahead and I would like to think that people can concentrate on their duties in the time ahead”, he said.

He added that he would meet Mrs May “in the coming weeks”.

The outcome of the United Kingdom referendum will be on the agenda when Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan holds talks in Dublin this morning with his Italian opposite number, Paolo Gentiloni. “I congratulate Philip on his appointment to this high office and wish him every success in his new role”, Mr Flanagan said.

Fianna Fail agreed to support the Fine Gael minority government for three budgets but Mr Griffin said his counterparts can not be trusted not to use budget decisions as an excuse to force another general election.

Merkel pointed to “intensive talks” on the issue.

For the German public, the Taoiseach will hope to use this meeting to impress on them Ireland’s commitment to staying in the European Union.