The next leadership regime in Fianna Fail will want to promote newer, younger faces so Calleary should benefit, notwithstanding the imminent return of fellow Mayo TD Beverley Flynn to the Fianna Fail fold. He has astutely handled the Flynn affair with several measured contributions. With the right breaks, he is a future cabinet member, and as the west of Ireland is underrepresented in Fianna Fail's senior team, elevation may come earlier than expected.

He says: "Regional development will have to be looked at to see why things have not progressed as much as they could have. I am also looking forward to playing my part with the other new younger, TDs in ensuring that the party continues to succeed."