Soldiers of Destiny on ministerial manoeuvres

Jack Chambers TD, Minster for Finance

Following Fianna Fáil’s retention of its status as the largest party of local government, Jack Chambers was appointed deputy leader of the party on 19 June 2024. Ostensibly, Chambers was rewarded for the “commitment and organisational skills” he demonstrated as Fianna Fáil’s director of local elections.

Exactly one week later, he was appointed Minster for Finance in place of former cabinet colleague Michael McGrath who has been nominated by the Government to become a European commissioner. At 33 years old, Chambers is the youngest person to hold the portfolio since Michael Collins was appointed in 1919.

Even before these recent appointments, in a conversation with this publication, a former senior member of Fianna Fáil’s background team tipped Chambers as Micheál Martin’s likely successor. That now looks more likely than ever, notwithstanding the machinations of other contenders.

First elected to the Dáil in 2016, to date, he has served as a Minister of State in the Department of Finance (2020), the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (2020-2022), the Department of Defence (2020-2022), the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, the Department of Transport (2022-2024), as well as Government Chief Whip (2020-2022). Prior to this, he served as a member of Fingal County Council, including as deputy mayor, and is a qualified medical doctor.

Speaking with ­eolas Magazine in 2022 – while serving across two portfolios, as well as Government Chief Whip – Chambers was typically measured in his response to a question about his ambitions within the Fianna Fáil hierarchy.

“That is not in my thinking at the moment. I am honoured to do the job I do, and I look forward to doing it over the coming weeks and months. I am someone who is focused and driven by the issues and areas that I have responsibility for and that is my motivation for the current term ahead,” he said.

In the meantime, the Tánaiste commented on his appointment and asserted: “No doubt he will make a very effective Minister for Finance and will work with the Cabinet, [PENDR] Minister [Paschal] Donohoe in particular in the context of the forthcoming budget and work collectively with all of our ministers to drive the next phase of this government forward.”

James Lawless TD for Kildare North, Minister of State with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics, and Minister of State with special responsibility for Postal Policy

James Lawless has replaced Jack Chambers in two portfolios, namely as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Postal Policy.

Said to be extremely ambitious, Lawless was first elected to the Dáil in 2016, having previously served as a member of Kildare County Council, including as Mayor of Naas. According to his profile on gov.ie, Lawless initially entered political life as a “commuter activist” and is a qualified barrister.

Upon Lawless’ appointment on 27 June 2024, Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD said: “He is a very diligent legislator who will do a very fine job as a Minister of State.”

Complimenting the work of his predecessor, Lawless indicated that he was looking forward to “getting stuck into my brief”.

`Dara Calleary TD for Mayo, Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation

Ballina native Dara Calleary has returned to cabinet, filling the super junior minister vacancy left by Jack Chambers’ move to replace Michael McGrath in the Department of Finance. He remains in his position as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation.

Reacting to his promotion on 27 June 2024, Calleary said: “I am very honoured to be rejoining Cabinet. I would like to thank the Tánaiste for the opportunity.”

Upon formation of the 32nd Government on 27 June 2020, Calleary was initially appointed a Government Chief Whip – though was not appointed to cabinet. On 1 July, he was further assigned roles as Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht, and Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, with special responsibility for Sport.

Calleary then briefly (from 15 July 2020 to 21 August 2020) served as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the 32nd Government of Ireland before resigning amid a scandal provoked by alleged breaches of public health restrictions (subsequently rejected by the District Court) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Calleary had himself replaced the Government’s original Agriculture Minister, Barry Cowen, after his appointment was terminated – just 18 days into the role – on 14 July, following a drink-driving controversy.

On 24 August 2023, Calleary made his return from the backbenches replacing Robert Troy as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, Digital and Company Regulation. Troy had resigned amid a “number of errors now that are of my making directly or indirectly” in relation to property interests.

Calleary has represented Mayo in the Dáil since 2007 and has previously served as a minister of state in the then-Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (2009-2010), the Department of the Taoiseach (2010-2011), the Department of Finance (2010-2011), the then-Department of Enterprise, Trade and Innovation (2010-2011). Before that, he was “involved in the banking and business sectors”.

Speaking to eolas Magazine as Minister of State with special responsibility for Trade Promotion and Digital Transformation earlier in 2024, Calleary emphasised: “I am gathering a lot of ideas and thoughts that will be in a Fianna Fáil digital manifesto at the next election. I am very focused.”