By Elaine Loughlin, political reporter

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has reacted to comments made by President Michael D Higgins who recently said political parties are prioritising tax cuts for political gain.

Mr Kenny also said he is ready for a “dogfight” after the latest poll shows another slide (of 2%) for Fine Gael, bringing the party's support to 26%.

On the eve of the general election campaign President Higgins asked whether it was “possible to have a decent society and at the same time continue to lower taxes for the purposes of securing the best short-term benefit?”

Speaking on RTE’s Today with Sean O’Rourke programme this morning Mr Kenny said he was confident that his plan of tax cuts and increased services could be rolled out after the general election.

“It is possible to have a decent society with lower taxes,” he said.

He refused to say whether President Higgins had overstepped the boundaries of his office with his remarks.

“The president has made a number of statements over the years,” he said.

Asked whether he agreed with the comments, Mr Kenny said: “What I agree with is politics and politicians have to make decisions in respect of the people.”

Support for Fine Gael has dropped five points in 10 days to 26% according to a Red C poll published in the Irish Sun newspaper this morning.

Mr Kenny said his party and Labour still offer a “stable government that will deliver on a costed plan”.

“This was always going to be a dogfight. This was always going to be a challenge in every constituency. We will fight the challenge.”

Repeatedly asked to say that he would not be Taoiseach in a Government that included Fianna Fáil, Mr Kenny refused to answer saying he wanted the current coalition re-elected.

He said “prefers coalitions” and is committed to returning the Fine Gael-Labour government.

“Obviously you had in the past single party governments…Some people were a little too taken with their own power," he said.

Mr Kenny also said he did not know why Finance Ministers Michael Noonan and Simon Harris did not attend an Ecofin meeting last week. The Ecofin Council is made up of the economics and finance ministers from all member states.