Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has again defended his leadership and his party's economic policies as his party holds its annual gathering in Co Waterford.
Speaking this morning, Mr Kenny also repeated his criticisms of the Government's policy on Anglo Irish Bank, describing as "half baked" the plan that was presented to the European Commission yesterday.
Asked during a radio interview about question marks over his personality, the Fine Gael leader he said it was always important that people understood the personalities and characteristics of their political leaders.
When it was put to him the jury was still out on him as a potential taoiseach, Mr Kenny replied: "And the jury will be out until the last vote is cast until the next general election, and I wish that was happening now.
"As far as I'm concerned, it is my privilege to lead a major party like Fine Gael, it's a privilege to understand my members, who went through a difficult period this summer, who made their judgement internally in accordance with our rules and regulations," he said on RTÉ's Morning Ireland.
"Why I want to be Taoiseach is not a vanity project for deputy Kenny. It is about leading our country and our people and putting in place a platform . . . that the next generation can stand and compete with their peers around the world."
Mr Kenny said personality did matter "no more than a teacher standing in front of a classroom" and that he was "very proud" the verdict had been passed on him by his party.
He added that "wonderful people" such as former taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan had led the country into its current economic difficulties.
Referring to economic strategy, Mr Kenny said his party's stance was not to increase taxes but to retain capital expenditure and cut current spending, adding he was not going to decide the budget for the Minister for Finance.
Pressed on where money was going to come from if vulnerable sections of society were not to be targeted in spending cuts, Mr Kenny said his party's policy on Anglo would have saved the State billions and could still do so if the Government accepted his advice.
When asked about potential Fine Gael candidates for the presidency, Mr Kenny said his party was not focusing on that now but was concentrating on removing the Government, adding he believed a general election would occur before the presidential vote.
Last night, addressing his party in the Faithlegg House Hotel, Co Waterford, Mr Kenny accused Mr Ahern, Mr Cowen and Mr Lenihan of gross incompetence and “off the wall” policies that had brought the country to its present state.
“My message today is that this party is on an election footing. My message to all our supporters, candidates and members of our Oireachtas party is to prepare for an election which may not be too far distant in the future.”
