The announcement on Saturday of Pippa Hackett as a “super-junior” Minister of State with a seat at the full cabinet came as a surprise. Not because of her appointment to the Department of Agriculture – she is, after all, a farmer.
The announcement on Saturday of Pippa Hackett as a “super-junior” Minister of State with a seat at the full cabinet came as a surprise.
Not because of her appointment to the Department of Agriculture – she is, after all, a farmer.
It was because it is only the third time in the history of the State that a senator has been given ministerial responsibility.
The Green Party agriculture spokesperson has been given responsibility for land use and biodiversity.
“There are pressing issues in relation to the transition period for CAP,” she told the Irish Farmers Journal.
“The completion of a new agri-food strategy, which needs to now take on board the commitments in the Programme for Government, is also an early priority.”
It is expected that a second Minister of State will be appointed to the Department of Agriculture, likely with responsibility for the marine.
Donegal TDs Charlie McConalogue and Joe McHugh, or even Michael Ring from Mayo, are thus likely to be in the running.
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