Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue has been named as the new Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

He is the third Minister for Agriculture in the Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party coalition Government.

Announcing his appointment to the role, An Taoiseach Michéal Martin said: "Immediately and throughout the Government’s term he [Minister McConalogue] will face a number of urgent challenges which are central to securing the long term future of rural Ireland and the industries which are at their heart.

"We must prepare for whatever the post Brexit trade situation brings, we must negotiate a final CAP deal which serves the interests of our communities, and we must redouble efforts to achieve a sustainable and prosperous rural economy.

"I have no doubt that deputy McConalogue will discharge this role with distinction and will form a highly effective team with Minister’s Hackett and Heydon."

Resignations

The Donegal takes up the reins in Agriculture House following the resignation of former Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary on 21 August.

Calleary attended an Oireachtas Golf Society event where more than 80 people were present, in Clifden, Co Galway, the day after the Government issued new COVID-19 guidelines.

In July, Taoiseach Micheál Martin relieved Barry Cowen of his duties as agriculture minister just 17 days after being appointed, over a drink driving offence from 2016.

Western representation

McConalogue will look to hit the ground running in the agriculture brief after making the step up from his position as Minister of State for Law Reform. First elected a TD in 2011, the 42-year-old will be familiar with the brief having served as Fianna Fáil spokesperson on agriculture in the last Dáil.

There had been heavy criticism over a lack of representation for western counties at the cabinet table, and the Donegal native will bring some balance in that respect.

Hailing from the Inishowen Peninsula, McConalogue studied economics, politics and history in UCD. He was active in student politics and worked as a political organiser for Fianna Fáil.

Following the death of his father, he returned to Gleneely to work on the family farm before being elected as a county councillor in 2009.

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