Dara Calleary (42) is from Ballina in north Mayo, from a family that is steeped in Fianna Fáil. His grandfather, Phelim Calleary, was a TD for Mayo North from 1952 to 1969 and his father, Seán Calleary, was TD for Mayo East from 1973 to 1992. Dara Calleary cut his teeth as a member of the Fianna Fáil national executive, to which he was elected in 1979, serving on the party's ruling council until 2007. He has since served on several party policy committees, notably associated with youth affairs through Ógra Fianna Fail. From 2009-2011, he was minister of state for labour affairs and public service transformation. In opposition, he has served as party spokesman on justice, equality and defence, until July 2012 and, from then, as spokesman on jobs, enterprise and innovation.

He has a BA in business and politics from Trinity College, Dublin. On social issues, he has expressed himself to be anti-abortion.

Married, he is a personable man, regarded as approachable and media savvy while not courting the attention of the press or broadcasters.