CARETAKER TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny will only spend one day in the United States next week as he attempts to form a government.
Kenny had been due to spend two days in Washington DC on Tuesday and Wednesday, but that programme will be cut to one day.
Kenny will now spend only next Tuesday in the American capital, taking in the Friends of Ireland lunch in the US Capitol as well as a meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden and President Barack Obama in the White House.
There, Kenny will present Obama with the traditional bowl of Shamrock.
He will, however, miss an economic promotion lunch and the American Ireland Fund gala dinner on Wednesday. The gala will be attended by US Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and will feature an introduction by Michael Flatley.
Kenny’s place at Wednesday’s lunch will be taken by Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan.
As it was, Kenny was due to fly back to Ireland late on Wednesday due to the scheduling of a Council of Europe meeting in Brussels on Thursday.
It is believed that he has decided to come back earlier as negotiations with potential government partners continues.
Yesterday, Kenny formally tendered his resignation as Taoiseach after losing a Dáil vote.
The Taoiseach’s office confirmed last night that Kenny conveyed his resignation to President Michael D Higgins.
He remains on as caretaker Taoiseach, heading a caretaker government, until a new government is formed. Kenny confirmed he will continue to fulfil his obligations as Taoiseach, including travelling to the States.
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