A Cabinet minister has played down the prospect of Enda Kenny remaining Taoiseach for the rest of the decade, by saying it is up to the people to decide.
Paschal Donohoe was responding to claims from a Cabinet colleague, that the Fine Gael leader could remain in power for two more elections.
Chief whip Paul Kehoe believes Mr Kenny may run for a third term as Taoiseach if he is re-elected next time.
Mr Kehoe says Mr Kenny could win not only a second term next year, but a third term five years later.
He also said he expects a vote transfer pact between Fine Gael and Labour in the upcoming general election.
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Deputy Kehoe said while there are many in the party besides Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney who aspire to be Taoiseach, Mr Kenny is going nowhere.
But Minister Donohoe says that is only if the people want him there.
