Enda Kenny denies that he surrounds himself with ‘yes men’.

The Fine Gael leader says he is fully aware of some of the criticism he faces as party leader and Taoiseach.

He has shrugged off complaints from backbencher John Deasy, who says the party is unable to deal with criticism.

The Taoiseach says he does his best to engage with critics and the public:

Mr Kenny also says he does not surround himself with yes men, and that Fine Gael encourages 'very hard talk':

The Taoiseach has also played down the extent of a row with his former advisor Frank Flannery.

Mr Flannery was stripped of his access to Government Buildings last year, after a row over his consultancy work with the Rehab Group.

He resigned as a party trustee last March - just as the government began to face a series of major crises.

Mr Kenny says he is still on very good terms with his former head of elections:

Originally posted at 13.32