Experience trumps ambition.
Brendan Howlin has been elected unopposed as leader of the Labour Party, succeeding Joan Burton, after Alan Kelly failed to secure the necessary support for a run at the top job.
Howlin was first elected to the Dáil in 1987 and served as minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in the last Government.
He becomes leader of the party at third attempt, having previously lost out to both Ruairi Quinn and Pat Rabbitte.
Alan Kelly, who failed to be seconded for a run at the leadership of the party, was not in attendance at the Royal College of Physicians as Howlin was confirmed.
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