Minister for Education Richard Bruton has said the selection of the deputy leader of Fine Gael is entirely in the Taoiseach’s hands.

Enda Kenny told the media on Friday that he had sacked former TD James Reilly (pictured) from the role – without telling Mr Reilly beforehand.

The former Health and Children’s Minister learned he had lost the position after his wife heard it in a radio report.

However Minister Richard Bruton said that as soon as James Reilly lost his Dáil seat he effectively lost the deputy leadership.

He said: “The deputy leadership is vacated when one loses one’s seat; that’s the reality.

“Deputy leadership has always been associated with Dáil deputies. The Taoiseach has complete discretion in selecting someone.”