Daniel McConnell Political Editor in Washington DC

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has joked he wished he didn't have to go home and face forming a Government.

At an Irish Embassy event tonight, Mr Kenny joked that he wished he didn't have to go home after having such a good time in the US capital.

Having been introduced to the assembled gathering by Ambassador Anne Anderson, Mr Kenny quipped he'd rather not go home.

"Bejaysus I wish i didn't have to go back and face what I have to face," he said.

Speaking about his recent losing of the election, Mr Kenny described the verdict of the electorate was a complex one but he said he respected it.

The event was the last of a busy day for Mr Kenny and his wife Fionnuala.

They were guests of honour at a breakfast hosted by Joe Biden, the US Vice President.

They were later guests at events at the White House and Capitol Hill.