A Government TD has defended ministers labelled 'posh boys' by party colleagues.

Fine Gael's Noel Rock says they should be judged on their ability to run the country and not on their background.

This morning's Irish Examiner reported a number of ministers negatively briefing against the Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.

Some in Fine Gael are eager to have an election before Christmas, but worry the lack of progress on housing will hurt them.

One Minister said they need to shed the 'posh boys' image, and that Minister Murphy's name kept coming up.

Fine Gael TD Noel Rock defended his colleague.

He argued: "Some people would say he's doing well against a difficult backdrop... others would say he's not doing so well against a difficult backdrop.

"Nevertheless, it shouldn't be his background that's held against him - it should be the key performance metrics and the results that are held against the person."

Another Minister complained about the photos of Minister Murphy swimming after a Cabinet meeting while many people are struggling with the housing crisis.

Fine Gael has a firm lead in the polls over Fianna Fáil, and many think it's the time for an election.

However, fears over how they will be judged on housing and health are nagging at the minds of ministers ahead of the new Dáil term.