While ministerial roles have not been finalised yet, it seems Deputy Noel Grealish will be appointed as Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) with responsibility for new market development and food research.

The next minister for agriculture and department junior ministers are set to be revealed today (Wednesday, January 22), as the Dáil resumes, a new Taoiseach is elected and a new government formed.

Speaking ahead of today's Dáil meeting (Wednesday, January 22), TD for the Galway West constituency Grealish told Agriland that in his new role, he hopes to "grow" agriculture markets internationally.

While it is a new role for the deputy, he does come from an agricultural background and said he is "looking forward" to his time in the position.

The position will involve international engagement, promoting Irish food produce and opening up new markets within the sector.

"Going back to the 1970s and '80s when I grew up on a farm, agriculture was the biggest exporter for the Republic of Ireland.

"It's great when you see the new tech industry coming in that is taking over that, but we can not forget that the agriculture industry employs tens of thousands of people and exports billions," Deputy Grealish said.

Deputy Grealish said that while he will aim to put agriculture on the map worldwide, the Irish government will continue to "support" farmers by opposing the EU-Mercosur Trade Deal.

He said that he is "hoping" that farmers around Europe will "put pressure" on their governments to also stop the deal from being ratified.

Grealish said that while he does not think that there is a rural-urban divide, there was "friction" during the last term of government with the Green Party in power.

"They worked to their agenda, but you can not be penalising farmers all the time for everything, so I hope to work with farming communities and farming organisations over the next five years," he said.

Grealish will meet the secretary general at the Department of Agriculture tomorrow (Thursday, January 23) to finalise details on his brief and priorities.