Chambers open to future Fianna Fáil leadership bid

Dublin West TD Jack Chambers has opened up about future ambitions to lead Fianna Fáil.

The Minister of State at the Department of Transport has sold various publications such as the Sunday Independent and the Irish Times that he is open to the idea of a future leadership bid.

He told the Sunday Independent that while he is fully supportive of Tánaiste Micheál Martin, he has aspirations of being party leader.

“Down the road, that’s something that interests me.”

He said that he is serving as director of elections for this years local and European elections and added “I think in politics you always have to be ambitious about leadership and about making big decisions for communities.”

“That’s something that — whether you’re a minister or a spokesperson or a leader — you always have to be ambitious for the future.”

In a separate interview with the Irish Times, Chambers said “whenever that time comes, I’ll absolutely consider it,” when asked about his leadership aspirations.

Chambers has served in various Minister of State roles since he was first elected as a TD in 2016, with the likes of finance, environment, and tourism falling under his purview in his time as TD.

More recently, Chambers has worked alongside Minister for Transport Éamon Ryan in his role as Minister of State at the Department of Transport and is currently the Government Chief Whip in the Dáil.

Chambers was dismissive of a proposed Sinn Féin-Fianna Fáil coalition, stating that they “swing from the far-left to far-right.”

“Most party members I speak with fear Sinn Féin, reject Sinn Féin and would find it very difficult to go into government with Sinn Féin,” he told the Irish Times.

“I don’t expect we will be in government with Sinn Féin after the next election because there’s very little common ground.”