Fr Michael Sinnott must be the happiest Irishman in the world today. In his own quiet way, however, another Micheal will be feeling pretty good too.

The release of the 79-year-old priest from Philippine rebels is not just the latest in a long line of diplomatic triumphs for the Minister for Foreign Affairs -- it confirms Micheal Martin's status as the frontrunner to be the next leader of Fianna Fail.

Although the full details have yet to emerge, it's clear Martin's negotiating skills played a key role in the freeing of the brave St Columban missionary.

Basks

Less than a fortnight ago, the ruthless kidnappers were demanding a ransom of €1.3m.

Now they've let him go without the Irish government handing over a single cent, the best possible result that could have been hoped for.

The good news comes just a few weeks after the release of Sharon Commins, the Irish humanitarian aid worker who was kidnapped in Sudan.

As he basks in the glory of having played a central role in both events, Martin must be reflecting that he could get used to this. He won't want to, however because, like any ambitious politician, he already has his mind set on an even bigger job.

When Brian Cowen appointed Martin as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2007, it looked as if the Cork Choirboy's chances of becoming Taoiseach were probably over.

Tipped as a future leader ever since he was a teenager, when the crucial moment arrived he hadn't even had enough support to put up a decent challenge.

He had been shunted off to a ministry that's often regarded as a glorified retirement home, where the greatest challenge is not to put on too much weight from all those state banquets.

A year and a half later, the situation has been completely transformed. Cowen's survival instincts may be a little sharper than some people have given him credit for, but it's still hard to see how he can survive as FF leader following the General Election that must be held by 2012 at the latest.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs has turned out to be a dream job for Martin, allowing him to show off his smooth media skills without getting bogged down in the economic crisis.

Nasty

The recent Lisbon Treaty campaign showed just why he is still a force to be reckoned with.

Although he has the soothing, clean-cut manner of a family doctor, he is also well capable of mixing it when things get nasty.

He took to the airwaves on a daily basis to debate opponents from the far left (Joe Higgins) to the far right (Declan Ganley) -- and wiped the floor with the lot of them.

If Martin has a weakness, it's that some of his earthier FF colleagues are a bit irritated by his slightly prissy image. While they gorge themselves on full Irish breakfasts in the Dail restaurant, he makes a point of nibbling on a big bowl of fruit.

They admire his nerve in pushing through the smoking ban, but they can't help resenting him a little for it as well.

Even so, there are plenty of FF backbenchers who quietly dream of replacing Cowen's weary face with Martin's angelic one on their election posters.

Right now his only serious rivals are Brian Lenihan and Dermot Ahern, both older and with far more challenging jobs.

Rescuing priests from the Philippine mountains may not be easy, but it's a lot more glamorous than rescuing the Irish economy or facing down gangland criminals.

Martin is not a natural rebel and it's highly unlikely that he'll make a move for the top job until Cowen's leadership dies of natural causes.

In the short term, his next likely move is to replace Mary Coughlan as Tanaiste and Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment -- because frankly, it should be obvious by now that the Government can't afford to keep a lightweight in such a key economic ministry.

As Fr Sinnott has good reason to know, Michael Martin is one of this government's best assets. It's time for the Taoiseach to start making better use of him.

- Andrew Lynch