Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he will serve a full term in office, but will not lead Fine Gael into the next general election.

Speaking at an event on Monday, Mr Kenny said his position had not changed despite the outcome of the general election.

Mr Kenny told reporters: “I have always said that my intention would be to serve the full term - but not to lead the party into the next general election.

“I’ve made that perfectly clear and that’s where I am - but I have a lot of work to do in the meantime.”

The news will come as a shock to some within Fine Gael, who had expected Mr Kenny to step down within two years.

Leo Varadkar, Frances Fitzgerald, Simon Coveney and Paschal Donohoe have been tipped to take over as Fine Gael leader.

Mr Kenny also told reporters attitudinal change was required by all political parties and the public service with regard to the new minority Government.

Media comment

He said media commentary had been fixated on how long the new regime would last for.

The Taoiseach said this was a complex situation but one he was confident could last the test of time.

He said he expected "the odd row" between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, but insisted the two parties' agreement would last until 2018, when it is due for review.

Mr Kenny said his first few weeks in office with the new administration had been different from his first term as taoiseach.

He added: “A man stopped me on the street the other day, he said: ‘I would like to shake your hand’. I said ‘Why?’ He said: ‘For volunteering to run our country. I find it astonishing that so many people who put their names forward for Dáil Éireann do not want to have anything to do with Government or have anything to do with making decisions’.”

Mr Kenny also told reporters he would appoint his ministers of State and name his 11 Seanad nominees this week.