The Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin has described as ‘immature’, comments made by the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny criticising the government’s failure to back John Bruton for the job of European Council President.

The Taoiseach had endorsed Tony Blair but yesterday declared that he will now be supporting the Irish candidate.

However his change of heart only came after the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny called on Mr Cowen to ‘get off the British Horse and back the Irish candidate.

Speaking in Brussels last night, the Foreign Affairs Minister Michael Martin hit back at Enda Kenny’s remarks.