Varadkar calls for live television debate over future leadership of Fine Gael

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar has called on the Fine Gael hierarchy to allow a television debate to be chaired between him and the other members of the party vying to succeed Enda Kenny as leader.

Kenny, Fine Gael's longest serving Taoiseach in history, is expected to step down sooner rather than later, but the Mayo native has yet to make an announcement of when he will leave his position.

Leo Varadkar and Simon Coveney are the two expected to contest the leadership, and the former has asked that he can participate in a live television debate so the public can see what their ideas are.

"I’d never be overly confident about anything. I think a TV debate would be a good thing," said Varadkar.

"I think it would be good for the public to see the different candidates, and there may be more than two candidates, talking about the future of the country, what we have to offer, and how we’d take it forward."

Minister Coveney is the slight favourite to succeed Mr Kenny, but it appears a very open competition between he and Varadkar. Enda Kenny is currently on an overseas trip to Canada, with many speculating that this will be his last as the leader of the country.