Paul O'Donoghue, the younger brother of the new Ceann Comhairle, John O'Donoghue, has announced his intention to seek the Fianna Fáil nomination as a general election candidate for the Kerry South constituency in the next election.
The surprise announcement came just days after the former minister for arts, sport and tourism was elected Ceann Comhairle, thereby losing his position at the Cabinet table.
Mr O'Donoghue (48) is a solicitor by profession and a member of Kerry County Council, where he represents the Killorglin electoral area. He is also a member of the South West Regional Authority and the European Committee of the Regions.
He said he made his decision after considerable encouragement from party members in Kerry South since his brother's appointment. "I was overwhelmed by calls from all over the constituency, from Kenmare, Killarney, Killorglin and Dingle, asking me to put my name forward and to take the uncertainty out of it," Mr O'Donoghue said.
A popular, energetic figure who is more outgoing than his older brother, Mr O'Donoghue is also known as a shrewd political operator. He was director of elections for his brother and for MEP Brian Crowley.
Fianna Fáil narrowly failed to gain a second seat in the general election in Kerry South. It is likely to be bunched together with Kerry North in the next election into one five-seater constituency. Mr O'Donoghue said he would seek the nomination regardless.