The Children's Minister says the focus of the Fine Gael party think-in will be on jobs and the economy and not rebel TDs. Frances Fitzgerald was speaking as her party gathers in Portlaoise for its annual parliamentary party meeting ahead of the new Dail term.

Labour and Fianna Fail are also holding their own separate meetings over the next two days. The Seanad referendum and the budget will be centre stage at all three gatherings.

A slightly smaller than normal Fine Gael Parliamentary Party will get together - minus the Reform Alliance members who were booted out for defying the whip on the abortion vote.

Enda Kenny will rally his inner troops for the Seanad referendum, while the party will also set out its stall for the Budget on October 15th.

That Budget will also be centre stage for Labour in County Meath, while Fianna Fáil are determined the Seanad referendum is their opportunity to capitalise as they are the only main party campaigning to keep it.

The group of rebel TDs and Senators from within Fine Gael met at the weekend but Minister Fitzgerald says they will not be the focus of the think-in.