The Taoiseach is ruling himself out of taking up a top job in Europe next year.
In his most definitive response on the issue yet Enda Kenny says he would be flattered, but plans to lead Fine Gael into a general election in 2016.
For weeks now there has been widespread speculation that Mr. Kenny could take up the post of President of the European Commission next Spring.
The Taoiseach is a favoured candidate among the likes of German Chancellor Angela Merkel who will be one of the main decision-makers in who gets the post.
The issue is expected to come up on at least the fringes of the European summit in Brussels today and tomorrow.
But speaking to reporters in his pre-Christmas interview in Dublin Enda Kenny has given the most definitive response yet to rule himself out of the position.
"In respect of the mandate given to me, I'm honoured and privileged to be elected Taoiseach - to have the largest majority in any government in the history of the state - but also with an unprecedented econmoic challenge facing us."
It's my intention to deal with that and to lead Fine Gael into the next election, he said.
"I'd be flattered to be talked of in those terms, but my job is here."
