MARY O'ROURKE loves the cut and thrust of politics. The deputy leader of Fianna Fail - the first woman to hold that post - is highly skilled in the art of plamas. But she also has a huge appetite for work and carries a filleting knife for insurance.
You don't become second in command of the State's largest political party by sitting on your hands. And, since Ms O'Rourke entered national politics at the late age of 44, she has plotted with the best.
Intensely competitive, she can be as sweet as pie or as abrasive as emery paper. She is as thin skinned as the journalists she assiduously cultivates, deeply resents criticism and concentrates on long term political goals.
She got her chance to shine as opposition spokeswoman on education. For four years, from 1983 to 1987, she made life a misery for Gemma Hussey as she castigated coalition cutbacks and made understanding noises to teachers and parents.
Charles Haughey was so impressed he made her Minister for Education in 1987 and again in 1989. She did not disappoint. Empathy, emotional intelligence and a good political "nose" were her real strengths.
She consulted widely, listened carefully and made people feel part of the process even as she swung the financial axe.
When starved of cash, she set about reforming second level exam and grading systems and initiated a Green Paper.
And then her brother Brian - a candidate for the Presidency in 1990 - was forced by Mr Haughey to resign as Tanaiste over the "tapes" controversy.
She was outraged. Relations with Mr Haughey became "very bad".
Within her own constituency of Longford/Westmeath, relations with Albert Reynolds were not much better. And when Mr Haughey was forced to resign as Taoiseach in 1992, she went for the top job.
She suffered the humiliation of securing six votes out of 77.
The next time it was different. From way out, she attached herself to Bertie Ahern. And when Mr Reynolds fell in, 1994, Ms O'Rourke emerged with the title of deputy leader and spokeswoman on enterprise and employment.
Apart from advocating fewer job creating agencies and more jobs for the long term unemployed, she has concentrated her attention on broader party issues. Her energy and enthusiasm have not been welcomed by some of her colleagues.
Ms O'Rourke expects Fianna Fail to form the next government. She has set her heart on the position of Tanaiste, despite protestations and, perhaps, on that of Minister for Finance.
The only other prize that might divert her single minded purpose is the Presidency.