It has emerged the Taoiseach Enda Kenny could face a leadership heave within Fine Gael from backbenchers who want him to speed up his retirement.

They have threatened to table the motion after Christmas if he hasn’t outlined his retirement plans by then.

Mr Kenny has said he does not want to lead Fine Gael into the next election, but wants to see out a three-year mandate.

But despite backbenchers saying he can’t do both, the Taoiseach says all TDs should instead focus on the challenges facing the country.

“I’ve already set out for everybody, that I want the entire Fine Gael party and all its members to focus on our principles on the agenda that we set out. We have no room for deviations from that.

“This is about our people, about our country and about their lives. Much too important for side matters.”

Taoiseach Enda Kenny tells RTÉ's @morningireland his position is clear and he is not walking away from his mandate pic.twitter.com/XL2C0tS3Yl

— RTÉ News (@rtenews) September 13, 2016