Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) Martin Heydon has refused to be drawn on speculation about ministerial appointments in the next government.
He made the comments while speaking with Agriland at the Bord Bia Meat Marketing Seminar this morning (Friday, January 17) at the Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare.
The annual event brings together meat-industry stakeholders from across Ireland to analyse the previous year and outline some of the key challenges and opportunities for the sector in the coming 12 months.
The Fine Gael TD, who currently has responsibility for new market development, farm safety, and research and development, has been widely tipped to take the top job in Agriculture House.
When asked about his possible promotion to minister for agriculture, Heydon was remaining tight-lipped.
“First of all, nobody will know who’s been appointed into those positions; there’s loads of speculation, but it’s a matter for the party leaders.
“They will make that decision next Wednesday (January 22) and announce it at that stage.
“Whatever role I’m asked to serve in, at any stage in the next Dáil, by Simon Harris I’ll be happy to take that on and do my very best for the country,” he said.
Heydon
However, Minister Heydon did outline what he expects to face new minister for agriculture.
“Whoever is in this role in the department of agriculture and is the head of the department of agriculture has a great opportunity to take a sector that is so vitally important to our economy.
“The work of our farmers, the 120,000 farmers the length and breath of this country and their families, feeds into a processing sector that employs thousands of people more.
“What happens in international markets, like we’re discussing today here at the Bord Bia meat seminar, absolutely has a direct impact in those rural communities,” he said.
Heydon said that ” the key focus” should be on “making sure we support farmers’ incomes” and “have their income on a sustainable footing”.
He also said that farmers will need support with the challenges facing the sector such as succession, the nitrates derogation, trade deals and bovine tuberculosis (TB).
While the brief will be “busy” for the next minister, Heydon said that it also presents opportunities.
“That opportunity is epitomised in the fact that in the second half of 2026 Ireland will have the presidency of the EU.
“That will be a pivotal time in the negotiation of the next Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Irish minister for agriculture will lead those negotiations at that time,” Heydon said.
Additional reporting by Louise Hickey
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