Fine Gael TDs have insisted Taoiseach Enda Kenny must not be forced to stand aside, but has to make his departure date known by next week.
The party is reluctant to “humiliate” Mr Kenny, but is adamant that the leader has to outline when he intends to stand aside by their next meeting.
Many TDs who spoke to The Irish Times wanted the Taoiseach to be given "space", but stressed he cannot be allowed to continue endlessly.
Louth TD Fergus O'Dowd, Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, Longford-Westmeath TD Peter Burke, Carlow-Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan and Wexford TD Michael Darcy all indicated that Mr Kenny should be allowed to outline his own timeframe.
There is an insistence among TDs that the Taoiseach should make the annual St Patrick’s Day visit, but should not continue long beyond that.
Mr O’Dowd, who is a critic of Mr Kenny, said he did not believe the Taoiseach should be backed into a corner.
“I have long stressed that the Taoiseach should outline a timeline to the party. That position has not changed. However, nobody wants to see him pushed out. He has given a long service to the party.”
General election
Mr Kenny has said he would not lead Fine Gael into the next general election. The events of the last week have demonstrated an election is closer than anticipated, and Fine Gael Deputies believe they cannot fight an election with Mr Kenny at the helm.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan and Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar both said Mr Kenny had been an important and significant leader for the party.
Mr Varadkar said Mr Kenny would know the right time to stand aside for himself, the party and for the country.
Mr Noonan said he had “no idea” what Mr Kenny’s intentions for the future were. “A lot of TDs are quite concerned that the date of an election has been brought forward. On the politics side, every party will be looking at the situation now. From where we stand today, it has brought the idea of an election centre stage, and that wasn’t the case when we came back in January.”
Very difficult week
Mr Noonan said it was “up to the Taoiseach when he will step down”.
“It’s been a very difficult week. There’s no doubt about that. The Government is united.”
Senior figures admitted the party must now make every preparation for going to the country.
Carlow-Kilkenny TD Pat Deering has said he would put forward a motion of no confidence in the party leader if Mr Kenny does not outline his intentions. He said the Taoiseach had five days to make his position known.
However, many Fine Gael TDs said they would not support such a proposal being pushed. Party members accept the Taoiseach must stand aside but will allow him the luxury of choosing that time within reason.
One close ally said: “He won’t be pushed, there is enough fight in us yet. If it is pushed he could win, and then he will never leave.”
