The acting Finance spokesman for Fine Gael appointed by Enda Kenny less than 48 hours ago is thought to be on the brink of announcing that he supports Richard Bruton.
Kieran O’Donnell is one of 14 TDs and Senators who have so far refused to declare where their loyalties lie and who will decide whether Enda Kenny survives as Fine Gael leader tomorrow.
Both sides are claiming they are on the brink of victory – but it depends on who you talk to as to how resounding it will be.
The Bruton camp claim the momentum is with them now and keep talking about a ‘movement for change’.
One of the senior strategists is Dublin South West TD Brian Hayes.
He is expecting the numbers in the ranks to swell.
“Those who have been reserving their position, or equally those who initially declared for Enda Kenny, will make that view known during the course of today – there’s a decisive swing in favour of change” he said.
One of those could be Kieran O’Donnell the current acting finance spokesman – who presumably told Enda Kenny he had confidence in him when the leader appointed him on Monday evening.
But the Bruton camp believes the Limerick TD will announce he is with them sometime today.
In the Kenny camp some are fearing that their numbers have been cut to the slimmest of a majority and they could lose more.
Though Roscommon-South Leitrim TD Frank Feighan is not one of them.
“I’m convinced that we have the numbers for Enda Kenny to prevail” he said.
Contacts with 13 key members of the Parliamentary Party are continuing.
Who they vote for will decide if Enda Kenny continues as Fine Gael leader from tomorrow.
