Kenny disappointed by Lee's departure

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has said he was very saddened and disappointed by George Lee's resignation from the party and the Dáil.

Speaking on RTÉ's News At One, Mr Kenny said the first he had heard of Mr Lee's unhappiness and disillusionment with the party was when he told him of his decision to step down last Tuesday afternoon.

Mr Kenny said he had made it clear to Mr Lee that he intended to offer him a Cabinet position if the party was elected to Government.

The Fine Gael leader said that a specific economics committee had been created for Mr Lee, where he could shape the party's economic policy.

He said Mr Lee had 'massive potential' and he very much regretted his decision to quit politics.

Mr Kenny conceded that yesterday had been a bad day for Fine Gael and for Irish politics.

He added that he felt confident that he continued to enjoy the full support of his Fine Gael colleagues.

FG front bench backs Kenny

Earlier, a meeting of the party's front bench unanimously endorsed Mr Kenny's leadership of the party.

After the meeting a spokesman said it was agreed to push ahead with what he described as the party's radical change agenda.

Fine Gael's Deputy Leader and Finance Spokesman Richard Bruton said he was surprised and disappointed at the decision by Mr Lee to resign from the party and the Dáil.

Mr Bruton said Mr Lee's decision was regrettable, but he rejected suggestions that the former TD was shut out from the upper echelons of Fine Gael.

Speaking before the meeting of Fine Gael's front bench, a number of deputies said events had damaged the party, but Chief Whip Paul Kehoe said Mr Kenny's leadership was 100% solid and would not become an issue.

The party's Arts Spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said that Mr Kenny could not be blamed for Mr Lee's departure and said he had been given plenty of scope to contribute.

European Affairs Spokesperson Lucinda Creighton also said the party leader could not be blamed for the exit.

Asked if she liked seeing Mr Kenny leading the party into the next election, she said it was not about personalities.

Ms Creighton said she believed Mr Kenny has a great capacity to lead the party, but said she cannot predict what is going to happen. She insisted the party is united.

Fine Gael's Spokesman on Health James Reilly said that despite rumours of disaffection, Mr Kenny would bounce back.

Mr Lee was in Leinster House today to clear out his office. He said he had no qualms of conscience for what he did.

Mr Lee also said that he thought it was stranger that former Fine Gael colleagues had criticised him for not producing policy document.

Mr Lee said the comments were a reflection on how shut out of the party he was.

The former RTÉ Economics Editor, stepped down yesterday from the Dáil and Fine Gael eight months after topping the poll in a Dublin South by-election.

Meanwhile, the Taoiseach has told the Dáil that the by-election to replace Mr Lee would be held 'in due course'.