The Fine Gael front bench TD, Mr Ivan Yates, has ruled himself out of any future leadership race. In a move that has surprised many in the party, Mr Yates (40) said that "under no circumstances" would he be a candidate for the future leadership of Fine Gael.
"My sole political ambition now is to be a minister in the next rainbow government," the Wexford TD told the Sunday Tribune.
He said he had decided over Christmas he did not want to find himself on his death-bed having devoted his entire life to politics. He reiterated his support for the party leader, Mr John Bruton.