By Elaine Loughlin, political reporter

Tánaiste Joan Burton has put Environment Minister Alan Kelly in his place today by stating she is his boss.

In an interview over the weekend, Mr Kelly outlined his political ambitions and declared: “I am my own boss".

But this afternoon, Ms Burton, who is today celebrating her birthday, moved to remind Mr Kelly that she is leader of the party.

Asked whether or not she is Mr Kelly’s boss she said: “Yes I am in the sense that I am the leader of the Labour party and the members of the Labour Party voted for my election as leader and Alan’s election as deputy leader.

“I am very happy that Alan has taken on a really significant role in this Government in relation to firstly sorting out the issues in respect of Irish Water and I think making real headway in relation to homelessness."

In the same interview with the Sunday Independent over the weekend Mr Kelly said that power is "obviously a drug. It’s attractive... I think it suits me”.

Reacting today, Ms Burton said: “I think that Alan, obviously has a great way with words and he is great campaigner.

“I probably have a slightly different approach, I enjoy being involved in all the activities that politics brings.

“But politics is an enormous privilege and it’s also a very important undertaking and at the end of the day, the people who really have the power are the citizens and the voters,” she said.

“I think every politician will be highly aware of that in the weeks to come and that’s how it should be."

On the issue of an election, Ms Burton said she would be meeting with Taoiseach Enda Kenny tomorrow morning and “people will be taken out of their misery very soon”.