Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) president Francie Gorman said he is looking forward to working with the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon while also highlighting "urgent" topics to be addressed.

Minister Heydon takes over the role from outgoing minister for agriculture, and Fianna Fáil TD for Donegal, Charlie McConalogue, who has not been appointed to a senior ministerial role in the new government.

The minister comes from a beef farm in Co. Kildare and is also a TD for the Kildare South constituency, first elected in 2011.

The IFA president said he had been in contact with the minister already to "wish him well in his new role".

“Obviously, moving from the Minister of State role to full minister is a step up, but he has the advantage of an understanding of the issues that he’s facing,” Gorman said.

Gorman said Minister Heydon has a number of "urgent items that will require his attention straight away".

The president referenced some of these issues at the IFA's 70th annual general meeting (AGM) on Wednesday (January 22), in particular the Mercosur trade deal, and the retention of the nitrates derogation.

The IFA president has also asked that the minister seeks a solution for farmers on peat soils in relation to Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) 2.

Gorman also wished Taoiseach Micheál Martin well as he takes up the office for a second time, following confirmation yesterday.

The Taoiseach received 95 votes in favour and 76 against his election in the Dáil, allowing him to take over the position from Fine Gael leader Simon Harris who now takes up the role of Tánaiste.

“The programme for government signals a re-set of the approach to farming and in the IFA we will be working with the government to make sure the policy direction is practical and works for farmers,” Gorman said.

The IFA president thanked former Minister Charlie McConalogue for his "engagement and commitment" during his time in the agriculture house.