Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has sent a strongly-worded letter to Waterford TD John Deasy warning him against commenting on the leadership of the party.
Mr Deasy, who was sacked as Fine Gael justice spokesman in 2004 after breaching the smoking ban in the Dail bar, said this week it would be a 'failure' if Mr Kenny did not become taoiseach after the next election.
But speaking on his return from holidays this afternoon, Mr Kenny said: "My intention is to be taoiseach after the next General Election and to replace Fianna Fail in government.
"I regard the statements made as an unnecessary distraction and I have written to Deputy Deasy today in clear and very unambiguous terms telling him what I expect from every Fine Gael member and that I expect no further comment on this matter."
Earlier deputy leader Richard Bruton said the remarks by Mr Deasy were depressing. "People who are interested in the country having a proper election with alternative strategies coherently set out are quite sickened by this.
"One of the great successes of Enda Kenny is that he rooted out the atmosphere of backbiting that was once in the party and that is what makes it so depressing for people like myself who are involved in trying to articulate an alternative, to see John Deasy deliberately doing this," he added.
Mr Bruton was joined by several prominent Fine Gael TDs in warning party members to focus on success in the forthcoming General Election and not to be distracted by recent speculation over the future leadership of the party.
Fine Gael's director of organisation and spokesman on enterprise Phil Hogan insisted that TDs, Senators and councillors were fully behind Mr Kenny.
Mr Hogan asked all party members to focus their energies on winning the extra votes and extra seats necessary to secure a change of Government.
He said Mr Kenny had transformed the party since becoming leader in 2002 and had inspired success in European, local and by-elections.
"Speculation on what may occur after that polling day is irrelevant and an unnecessary distraction from the immediate task of work at hand. All Fine Gael members, supporters and elected representatives recognise that fact and will no doubt drive the party on to success this summer," he added.
Mr Kenny's constituency colleague Michael Ring also called on the party to concentrate on winning the forthcoming election and described leadership discussions as a 'non-event'.
"Since taking over as leader Enda Kenny has skilfully brought the party from the verge of extinction to within the grasp of government.
"We will achieve this so the leadership issue is a non-event. Our one and only objective is the winning of the general election. All the polls, both local and national, point towards a Fine Gael - Labour coalition," said Mr Ring.
"That is the realistic situation and any attempts to derail that achievement is nothing but sabotage and should be treated as such.
"All our Deputies and Senators should concentrate on the challenge of the general election campaign," he added.
In a statement issued through the Fine Gael press office this morning, Fine Gael TD Damien English has described as "misleading" reports that he believes party leader Enda Kenny should step down if the party does not win this year's general election.
"I fully support the leadership of Enda Kenny. He has done a superb job in bringing Fine Gael to a position where it can replace Fianna Fáil in Government," Mr English said.
"I do not support the view expressed by John Deasy that Enda Kenny should step down as leader if he is not Taoiseach after the election.
"In that unlikely event, it has been the long-standing procedure within the party for an automatic motion of confidence in the leader."
Mr English said in an interview for this morning's Irish Independentthat when Mr Kenny was elected five years ago "I assumed it was for five years and if he becomes Taoiseach there will be no need for an election".
"If he doesn't win though, like everyone else, I assume there will be a leadership election," he added.
He also told the paper that the "next time we go to pick a leader, be it in three months or five years, we should look for a younger leader".
In today's statement he said these comments "have also been misconstrued. As the youngest deputy in the Dáil I am always promoting the interests of younger members and I want all parties to promote younger members at all times. These comments are not a reflection on Enda Kenny whose enthusiasm and energy is boundless."
Speaking on Waterford local radio earlier this week, his colleague Mr Deasy said that he would be interested in the job of Fine Gael leader, although he said he would be supporting Mr Kenny until the next general election.