AN TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny has arrived at the National Convention Centre in Dublin, where grassroots members of Fine Gael will gather for the party’s 76th Ard Fheis over the next two days.

It is the first time in 16 years that the party will hold an Ard Fheis while in Government and the first since last year’s general election success.

Kenny has called the weekend “critically important” and he will make two addresses – one which will be televised live on RTÉ – to party members.

The first will be given this evening between 7pm and 8pm. Children’s Minister Frances Fitzgerald will follow the Taoiseach to discuss a “new era” in child protection.

DUP Minister Jonathan Bell will give a speech during a special session tomorrow as the party explores ways of building British-Irish trade relations. Enterprise and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton and Glen Dimplex CEO Seán O’Driscoll will also address attendees.

RTÉ will also broadcast a discussion on “Getting Ireland Back to Work” between Bruton, Michael Noonan, Simon Coveney, Leo Varadkar, Lucinda Creighton, Brian Hayes and Ciarán Cannon from 10.45am.

The European Stability Treaty and the Common Agricultural Policy will be discussed in the afternoon.

The Taoiseach will give his second – and live – address to the nation at 8.30pm on Saturday.

Full schedule:

Tonight

19.00 – 20.00 Auditorium

Opening Ceremony by Brian Murphy, Chairperson of Fine Gael Executive Council

Address by Taoiseach and Party Leader, Enda Kenny

20.00 – 21.30 Auditorium

New Era in Child Protection by Minister Frances Fitzgerald TD and Minister Ciaran Cannon TD

Saturday, 31 March

9.30 – 10.45 Auditorium

Fine Gael Constitution & Rules and Organisation

10.45 – 13.00 Auditorium (Live TV)

Getting Ireland Back to Work with ministers Michael Noonan, Richard Bruton, Simon Coveney, Leo Varadkar, Lucinda Creighton, Brian Hayes and Ciaran Cannon

13.00 – 14.00 Auditorium

Ensuring Health Reform with Minister James Reilly

13.00 – 14.00 Wicklow Hall 1

Driving Political & Constitutional Reform with ministers Brian Hayes and Paul Kehoe

13.30 – 14.30 Wicklow Hall 2A

Ireland’s Place in Europe with Minister Lucinda Creighton

14.00 – 15.30 Auditorium

Growing Sustainable Jobs with minister Simon Coveney and Shane McEntee

14.00 – 15.30 Wicklow Hall 1

Planning for a Better Future with ministers Phil Hogan, Leo Varadkar and Fergus O’Dowd

15.30 – 16.30 Auditorium

The European Stability Treaty with the Director of Elections

15.30 – 16.30 Wicklow Hall 1

Towards a Safer, More Secure Ireland by Minister Alan Shatter

16.30 – 17.30 Wicklow Hall 1

Promoting Irish Culture & Sport with ministers Jimmy Deenihan, Michael Ring and Dinny McGinley

17.00 – 18.00 Wicklow Hall 2B

The Common Agricultural Policy by Simon Coveney

17.00 – 18.00 Liffey Meeting Room 1

Northern Ireland/UK Relationships

18.30 Auditorium re-opens for Taoiseach’s Address

19.30 Auditorium

Warm-up and Speeches

20.30 – 21.00 Auditorium (Live TV)

Address by Enda Kenny TD, Taoiseach & Leader of Fine Gael