Michael McGrath’s seismic intervention into the nitrates derogation debate captured the lion’s share of the tittle tattle and rumour mongering at the ICMSA’s AGM last weekend.

McGrath made a big impact with his Morning Ireland intervention.

Indeed, as one Fianna Fáil stalwart at the AGM maintained, McGrath swapped his usual size nine shoes for a pair of size 12 boots and marched right into the middle of the delicate discussions. It was just as well the former Cork TD was the bearer of good news. But the questions remain.

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What was the European Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law and Consumer Protection doing muddying the waters on the nitrates derogation?

As one woman put it: “With a job title that big, you’d think he’d have enough to be doing.”