Irish PM to step down, succession contest begins

By Padraic Halpin and Conor HumphriesDUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny resigned as leader of his Fine Gael party on Wednesday, kicking off a succession contest between two younger ministers who colleagues hope will boost the party ahead of an election due late next year.Kenny -- who had already announced he would not lead Fine Gael into the election -- said he would remain prime minister during the contest, due to be concluded on June 2, and during subsequent talks with lawmaker