Fine Gael is dismissing claims that the Taoiseach's been damaged by the referendum defeat.

The electorate voted by a margin of 52 per cent to reject Enda Kenny's proposal to abolish the Seanad.

Fianna Fáil says the result is a major blow for the Taoiseach. 

But Fine Gael Ministers and TD's are backing the way the party leader conducted the campaign. 

Minister for European Affairs Paschal Donoghoe doesn't believe Enda Kenny made a mistake by not taking part in the TV debate: