A senior cabinet minister says Enda Kenny's performance in Washington shows he'll be around "for a little while yet".

However Michael Noonan says the timetable for a possible change of Taoiseach is now becoming clearer because of more certainty around Brexit.

It's been confirmed today that Britain is to begin that process on Wednesday week, with an EU summit taking place within four to six weeks.

In Brussels this evening Michael Noonan says this gives more certainty to the Taoiseach's plans:

Earlier another cabinet minister suggested Fine Gael might retain Enda Kenny as Taoiseach for a period AFTER he's replaced as Fine Gael leader.

Richard Bruton spoke as party members question whether how long Enda Kenny might plan to remain in office.

MEP Sean kelly says Kenny could stay on as Taoiseach for at least another two months before making way to step down.

Our political correspondent Gavan Reilly reports.