Mr O’Driscoll replaces Tom Moran, who retired in December after ten years in the role.

Minister Coveney said: "I am delighted that Aidan O’Driscoll is the new secretary general. I’ve worked with him for nearly four years and have full confidence in him to provide the leadership, intelligence and ambition to deliver for Irish agriculture, the food industry and the marine sector into the future."

In his most recent role as assistant secretary, his portfolio of responsibilities included EU and international trade, CAP, rural development, economics and planning, climate change and bio-energy policy.

ADVERTISEMENT

O'Driscoll leads Department race