New Minister for Agriculture to be appointed next week

An Taoiseach Micheál Martin is to appoint a new Minister for Agriculture next week, following the resignation of Dara Calleary from the role on the back of his attendance at an Oireachtas Golf Society dinner last week.

Calleary was one of a number of politicians who attended the dinner, which also included European Commissioner for Trade Phil Hogan, a number of senators and Noel Grealish, a sitting Independent TD.

Some 81 people attended the golf dinner in Galway

The now former Minister Calleary was in the job for 38 days after he replaced Barry Cowen, who was fired in July after 17 days in the role for a previous drink-driving offence.

Calleary came under severe criticism for his attendance at the event in Clifden, Co Galway, on Wednesday of last week. The day previous to the event, he was one of the members of cabinet who signed off on new COVID-19 guidelines which said “no formal or informal events or parties should be organised” at hotel restaurants, cafes and pubs.

Some 81 people attended the golf dinner in Galway.

Apology

Calleary apologised unreservedly for attending the event. “In light of the updated public health guidance this week, I should not have attended the event.

“I wish to apologise unreservedly to the public, from whom we are asking quite a lot at this difficult time,” he said.

His attendance at this event was wrong and an error of judgment on his part. I have accepted his resignation

The Taoiseach said Minister Calleary’s resignation was “the right decision” for the country.

“His attendance at this event was wrong and an error of judgment on his part. I have accepted his resignation,” he said.

He has also since resigned as deputy leader of the Fianna Fáil party.

Until a new minister is appointed, An Taoiseach Micheál Martin is taking care of the agriculture portfolio. The Taoiseach’s office did not respond to queries from the Irish Farmers Journal which asked if he would be attending next week’s informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers or if he would be sending a junior minister.

Including the Taoiseach as caretaker minister and whoever he appoints as a successor to Calleary, there will have been five Ministers for Agriculture in 2020.