We have a government. Now the question is, who will take on the crown of the new Minister for Agriculture? On Wednesday, Simon Coveney took the morning off from his role as a lead negotiator for Fine Gael to attend a Dáil debate on agriculture.

It seems certain to be his last, as it’s unlikely he will stay in Agriculture House for another term. As someone with leadership ambitions, Coveney will surely seek pastures new.

Who will the new minister be? Your guess is probably as good as mine. A bewildering variety of candidates has been touted. They include (deep breath) Heather Humphreys, Charlie Flanagan, Paul Kehoe, Michael Ring, Andrew Doyle, Sean Kyne, Joe McHugh, Martin Heydon, Pat Deering and John Paul Phelan. The latter named in that list are more likely to get a junior ministerial position.

Charlie Flanagan is understood to want to stay in Foreign Affairs, and as a key lieutenant of Enda Kenny’s will probably get his wish. Andrew Doyle is well capable, but is not a favourite of Kenny’s and his constituency colleague Simon Harris seems certain to be promoted to a full ministry.

The likes of Kyne, Heydon and Deering may be seen as a little inexperienced just yet. That leaves Heather Humphreys and Paul Kehoe as the two certain cabinet appointments who best fit, with Michael Ring as a dark horse.

There have been suggestions that an independent TD may be appointed to the Department of Agriculture. It’s possible, but it’s hard to see Fine Gael handing over one of the biggest-spending departments of all. If they do, it might be an indication that they are pessimistic about the short-term prospects for the sector.

The main contenders from the independent benches are both from Roscommon. Denis Naughten could well have got the job before now had he not first opposed Enda Kenny in the leadership contest of 2010. He was a capable opposition spokesman, and would be a good fit. Michael Fitzmaurice has put a keen focus on farming as a priority for the upcoming government. He is more likely to get the nod for a junior ministry in agriculture.

Either could well be a front-runner for the new cabinet position of Rural Affairs. It may well turn out to be a new super-junior position, with a seat at the cabinet table.

It would straddle elements of departments such as enterprise and employment and environment, which are the two jobs with which Simon Coveney is being most closely linked.