I told him last Monday that I felt the way things were going it was unlikely that I would be able to vote for the legislation.

She later said: "If the Irish people vote in favour of gay marriage then I'll vote for gay marriage in the Oireachtas in order to recognise that position, but at the moment that is not recognised by the Constitution."

It has long been a bug bear of mine... it needs to change, very simply.

... I think Finance is the one that everybody aspires to, who's serious in politics, because that's where the real decisions are taken and I think it's a fascinating portfolio.

I have no interest or desire to be head of Fine Gael.... I am ambitious for my country and I always said I would love to sit at Cabinet.

Loads of my friends are gay, I don't see myself in any sense as being opposed to gay rights, but I did express a view before the election - which by the way was also expressed by the party but then they changed their mind - that we didn't support gay marriage which is, I suppose for some, the ultimate destination, but not for everybody.

I think Enda Kenny has shown himself to be a good leader in the sense that he can accept that people might have differences of opinion with him, but at the same time can see that it's useful to have them involved and part of the team and I very much appreciate that.