The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Mr Noel Treacy, is rumoured to be a rather reluctant Fianna Fail candidate for the European Parliament next year.
Mr Treacy, who has received the blessing of the outgoing Connacht-Ulster Fianna Fail MEP, Mr Mark Killilea, announced his candidature for the party nomination at a press conference in Tuam last week.
Unfortunately it was overshadowed by business elsewhere; on that day the Cabinet confirmed that this island was a jigsaw, upholding the long-held suspicion that a united Republic, never mind a united Ireland, was always the stuff of ridiculous dreams.
His chances seem to be fairly good, according to the experts. He has avoided a clash with his Galway East constituency colleague, Mr Michael Kitt, who has confirmed he will not be running. Mr Treacy will be seeking the Fianna Fail nomination, along with Mr Terry Leyden of Roscommon and the party MEP, Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, at a Connacht-Ulster convention next year.
Mr Leyden spoke at Fianna Fail meetings in Oranmore and Oughterard last weekend and on each occasion he has been in Galway for a Western Health Board meeting he has pointedly called on key members of the party.
On a recent visit by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, to Galway, he was present, and he has also been associated with proposals for a new management structure for University College Hospital, Galway.
Whatever the outcome, there is now a changed political landscape in Galway East. The smart money to succeed Mr Treacy in the Dail is on Councillor Joe Callanan, who recorded a strong performance in the last general election.