By Daniel McConnell, Irish Examiner Political Editor

Caretaker Taoiseach Enda Kenny has decided to cut short his St Patrick’s Day visit to the US next week.

In a clear signal of his political vulnerability, Mr Kenny’s two-day programme of events has now been shortened to one day.

The two-day programme was already a truncated version of the normal US programme, which usually runs for seven days.

Given his failure to be re-elected Taoiseach, Mr Kenny will only attend the events in the White House on Tuesday, March 15, before he travels back to Ireland.

The Department of An Taoiseach has said Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan will now replace him at events on Wednesday.

His decision to return home early means Mr Kenny will not be present at the American Ireland fund dinner, which has traditionally been a key part of the St Patrick’s Day programme.

Mr Kenny, who is in a fight to retain his position as leader of Fine Gael, is most eager not to be away for such an extended period of time at such a delicate time relating to the formation of a new government.

Matters are further complicated by the fact he has to attend a two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels next Thursday and Friday.