Dara Calleary says ‘loads of people’ suggesting him as Fianna Fáil’s next leader

By Cillian Sherlock, Press Association

Dara Calleary has had “loads of people” suggest him as the next leader of Fianna Fáil but has insisted he will not consider the role until there is a “vacancy”.

Calleary, the Minister for Social Protection, said the next time the post held by Taoiseach Micheál Martin would come up is “a while away”.

He has previously been deputy leader of the party, which will mark its centenary at its Ard Fheis this weekend.

There has been speculation that there may be a change in the Fianna Fáil leadership after Ireland’s term as president of the Council of the European Union closes at the end of this year.

Discussing the Ard Fheis, Calleary said on Wednesday: “The Taoiseach has our full support – it will be an occasion of pride in what our party has done over 100 years.”

Asked if he was interested in ever becoming leader, he said: “Genuinely, I haven’t given it any consideration.

Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, he added: “I will not consider it until there’s a vacancy.”

Calleary said the first people he would discuss the matter with would be his wife and family.

Asked if people had come to him to suggest him as a candidate, he said: “Loads of people do – but I don’t get distracted by it.

“It is very flattering to be considered, it is very flattering to have the confidence of colleagues – but it is important not to get distracted by either.”

Pressed on whether the leadership question would re-emerge after the EU presidency, Calleary said: “I don’t think it will.”

He said Fianna Fáil “had to focus on the job” of being in Government, and pointed to “instability” in the UK amid the leadership speculation around British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.