Despite being placed by bookmakers Paddy Powers as the fourth favourite to become the next leader of Fianna Fáil at odds of 8/1, Ballina based Minister of State Dara Calleary has not given that idea a moment’s thought, he told the Mayo Advertiser this week.
“To be truthfully honest I have not given that idea one seconds thought at all, what I’m concentrating on is getting re-elected and serving the people of Mayo whom I represent and doing by job as a Minister of State,” Dep Calleary told the Advertiser yesterday.
Dep Calleary, who was this week quoted in the Irish Times calling for the leadership of the party to pass on to new generation when the vacancy arises, said that what he was talking about was more of a general overhaul in the party that will arise with the large number of retirements of current Fianna Fáil TDs after this elections.
“I think it was a case of them putting two and two together and getting 20,” he told the Mayo Advertiser. “I was speaking more about an overall rebuilding of the party that will have to be done, there are very capable younger members there who are more than willing and able to step up and bring the party on, which will have to be done after the retirements. But as far as me going forward for party leader, I haven’t given it a moment’s thought. I haven’t had time to even think of somthing like that.”
With Dep Calleary the only Fianna Fáil candidate definite to run in the upcoming election following the announcement by Beverly Flynn that she will not be seeking re-election, the race is on to find out who will be Calleary’s running mate or mates. “Everyone took a break over Christmas and we’re going to have a meeting maybe next week to look at the situation and let the party members have their say and get nominations sorted out,” he said.
As to having one running mate or two in the election, Calleary is definite in his preference. “I’ve said that I think we should have three candidates running in Mayo, but we have to sit down and see what’s decided locally and what input and direction comes from party headquarters in Dublin.”
