Newly-appointed Minister of State Kevin Boxer Moran says he is raring to go.
Seven months ago the newly-elected TD was driving a taxi around Athlone and in his own words "dreaming of making a political comeback".
Now the dream has become a reality and he is back on a national stage having been central to the formation of a new government.
"To find myself in this position, I'm still pinching myself to be honest," he said.
Mr Moran lost his Dáil seat in 2020 after serving four years as an elected Independent TD for Longford-Westmeath.
The loss of his Dáil seat in February 2020 was perhaps one of that election’s biggest shocks.
Two years later he made a bid to replace the seat vacated by his son, Jamie, on Westmeath County Council but came up short, another bump on the road towards a political return.
However the 'Boxer', as he known locally, was not deterred and set his sights on winning a seat at the local elections last June.
He secured almost 3,800 first preferences in the Athlone Electoral Area. "It put me in a position that I never dreamed of," he said.
Less than three months later, the then-councillor declared he was going to seek election to Dáil Eireann.
He said he knew from knocking on over 9,000 doors during the local election campaign that he had the support.
"I suppose I was pushed to go for the General Election then," he said.
"But the one thing that people said to me was Boxer, we will vote for you on one condition - you go back to the Dáil and you will go into government."
'I don't talk, I do'
For that reason, Mr Moran said he made his intentions clear very early.
He said: "The day I was elected I let the then-taoiseach Simon Harris know that if they were stuck for numbers for going into government that I was available.
"I didn't push him in any way but I do know from the last time people talk about going government and then don't.
"But I don't talk, I do."
For several weeks, Mr Moran found himself at the centre of government formation talks, as part of a group of Regional Independent TDs.
It was not a surprise move because Boxer has never been behind the door in expressing his belief that it is better being in government than out of it.
Over the years he has often used the quote that "a day in government is better than 1,000 days in opposition".
He said: "The talks were tough. There were late nights and there were arguments.
"There were times when myself and Michael Lowry had a few harsh words and there were times I didn't agree with some of the things being put forward by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
"But Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have learned from dealing with Independents and we've learned too, and we put together a programme for government between ourselves and the two parties and I think it's a good programme for government.
"It's like marriage and you are there for the five years and you can divorce after that or you can go on. The Regional Independents didn't divorce last time and they're back in again.
"And there may be a price to pay for going into government, we may all lose our seats but we'll do our best to help our communities and the people of this great country of ours."
Speaking rights row
So, what did the Independent TD make of the row over speaking rights which broke out just a day after the programme for government was agreed?
"All this fuss about can they talk and some people accusing of us of being on both sides but listen, we are all elected by the people and we all have a right to speak on behalf of the people," he said.
"Like us or dislike we have the balls to go into government," he said bluntly.
Mr Moran does not hold back when it comes to those who criticise politicians.
He has been vocal in the past about online abuse, having been at the receiving end after he lost his seat in 2020.
He said: "We have the courage to take on the people that attack us seven nights a week on social media.
"I always say to people on social media, put your name on the ballot paper, there's plenty of room and put yourself forward or come with me to my clinics, come to the Dáil and see what it's like to be a politician.
"It's not about just standing beside a plaque for your picture, there's a lot of work involved."
The work for the newly appointed Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW) has already started.
Watch: Moment Kevin Boxer Moran elected to the Dáil
He has already held several meetings with officials and declared he'll be working Monday, despite it being a bank holiday.
The TD is returning to a brief he held during his last term in the Dáil.
He said: "Over the last few days I've been getting lots of messages of support, from politicians, some retired and then also messages from people in Athlone and they're delighted.
"All I can say to you is, they're not as delighted as I am, I can't hold back the excitement."
Flooding is an issue that is important to Mr Moran and fast-tracking flood relief schemes are top of his agenda.
He said: "I'm looking at areas that have been flooded in the last two of three years and what have we done to speed up delivering on projects.
"I'm thinking of Middleton and the locals who have suffered there."
Moran wants 'better value for money' at OPW
However, the minister knows there are other pressing issues at the OPW.
Just months after a Freedom of Information request found that the department spent €336,000 on a bike shelter outside Leinster House, it emerged the OPW spent €490,000 replacing a perimeter wall outside the Dublin HQ of the Workplace Relations Commission.
He said: "Taxpayers are annoyed with the overspend, I know that.
"I've spoken to my officials and I intend to put in place ways that we can prevent this from happening.
"I have to be honest and say though, sometimes we want to jump and blame the department straight away but there are unforeseen things that can happen in any project.
"In saying that, people are fed up, I know that and people are looking at what happened with the bike shed and what happened with the wall so yes, I've spoken with my officials and we're working to put in place ways to get better value for money."
However, Mr Moran said there may well be other issues.
He said: "Don't beat me with a stick if something else comes out because some things can't be prevented
"I intend to work with my Department officials and put our best foot forward and come up with a solution."
Of course, Kevin Boxer Moran says his political comeback would not be possible without the support of his family and his biggest supporter, his wife Michelle.
He said: "She does say to me, I love you Boxer, I'm delighted for you, are you happy?"
From talking to Kevin Boxer Moran it is clear he is happy and this time around, he is taking nothing for granted.
"Boxer knows better than most, you can lose your seat, I've learned that lesson but the people of Athlone know I've worked tirelessly for them and I'll continue to do that," he adds.
