Calleary among frontrunners for major ministerial post

Mayo TD Dara Calleary is among the frontrunners for a major Ministerial post.

The leaders of the three Government parties were expected to discuss the name of Ireland’s next European commissioner on Monday, before the nomination is approved by the Cabinet at its meeting today.

Minister for Finance Michael McGrath was expected to be named for the prestigious EU role in advance of a summit of European leaders in Brussels later this week. There is widespread circulation that Junior Ministers Dara Calleary and Jack Chambers are among the potential replacements if Mr McGrath leaves his post immediately. Chambers who also has Mayo connection was last week named as the new deputy leader of Fianna Fáil. Michaeal Martin may well move either Norma Foley or Darragh O'Brien to the finance portfolio and put the new addition in their vacated role.

A prime Ministerial posting would be a huge boost to Ballina and Mayo and would signal a significant show of faith in Dara Calleary after the rollercoaster of 2020 when he was forced to quit as Minister for Agriculture.

As part of the coalition agreement, the Tánaiste will choose the nominee for the EU Commissioner post While he wouldn't be drawn on speculation Micheál Martin said the candidate will be "high-calibre".