Enda Kenny set to announce plans to stand down as Taoiseach

Taoiseach Enda Kenny is set to announce his plans to stand down as Irish Prime Minister later today.

It is understood that Mr Kenny plans to stand down after attending a meeting with American President Donald Trump in Washington for St Patrick's Day.

There had been rumours that Mr Kenny would face a vote of no confidence from his own party for his handling for his handling of a Garda whistleblower controversy.

The Garda has been dogged with allegations of corruption in its driving license points system.

Mr Kenny has been leader of Fine Gael since 2003 and Taoiseach since 2011.

The Irish government is currently made up of a coalition between Fine Gael and Independents.

Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar is currently the bookies favourite to succeed Mr Kenny as both Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader.