Calleary 'objected to being appointed chief whip', report claims

Fianna Fáil deputy leader Dara Calleary objected to being appointed Government Chief Whip during a tense meeting with newly elected Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the Irish Independent is reporting this morning.

However, Deputy Calleary was forced to accept the role as he was the last Fianna Fáil TD called to Government Buildings and An Taoiseach had already allocated all his ministries.

The report continued: "The long-serving Mayo TD told colleagues he was furious about the appointment but was left with no option but to accept the position as Mr. Martin had no other ministries to offer by the time he was called to the Taoiseach's Office.

"Ministers who were appointed on Saturday afternoon said the Fianna Fáil deputy leader was "visibly angry" when they gathered in Government Buildings before returning to the National Convention Centre to be voted into office."