Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Ireland)

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Government of Ireland

The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Irish: Aire Talmhaíochta, Iascach agus Bia) is the senior minister at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in the Government of Ireland.

The current Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is Brendan Smith, TD. He is assisted by:

Historically, the agriculture portfolio has gone under a number of different names; the holder has often borne the title of simply Minister for Agriculture.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The Department's functions include:

  • Policy advice and development on all areas of departmental responsibility
  • Representation in international especially European Union and national negotiations;
  • Development and implementation of national and EU schemes in support of agriculture, food, rural development and the rural environment.
  • Monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety.
  • Control and audit of public expenditure under its control.
  • Regulation of the agriculture and food industries through national and EU law.
  • Monitoring and controlling animal and plant health and animal welfare.
  • Monitoring and direction of state bodies engaged in the following areas:
    • Research training and advice.
    • Market development and promotion.
    • Industry regulation and development.
    • Commercial activities.
  • Direct provision of support services to agriculture and food.

[edit] List of office-holders

[edit] Director for Agriculture 1919–1921

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
1. Robert Barton 2 April 1919 26 August 1921 Sinn Féin

[edit] Secretary for Agriculture 1921–1922

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
2. Art O'Connor 26 August 1921 9 January 1922 Sinn Féin

[edit] Minister for Agriculture 1922–1924

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
3. Patrick Hogan 11 January 1922 2 June 1924 Cumann na nGaedhael

[edit] Minister for Lands & Agriculture 1924–1930

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Patrick Hogan 2 June 1924 3 April 1930 Cumann na nGaedhael

[edit] Minister for Agriculture 1930–1965

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Patrick Hogan 3 April 1930 9 March 1932 Cumann na nGaedhael
4. James Ryan 9 March 1932 21 January 1947 Fianna Fáil
5. Paddy Smith (1st time) 21 January 1947 18 February 1948 Fianna Fáil
6. James Dillon (1st time) 18 February 1948 13 June 1951 Independent[1]
7. Thomas Walsh 13 June 1951 2 June 1954 Fianna Fáil
James Dillon (2nd time) 2 June 1954 20 March 1957 Fine Gael
8. Frank Aiken (1st time) 20 March 1957 16 May 1957 Fianna Fáil
9. Seán Moylan 16 May 1957 16 November 1957 Fianna Fáil
Frank Aiken (2nd time) 16 November 1957 27 November 1957 Fianna Fáil
Paddy Smith (2nd time) 27 November 1957 8 October 1964 Fianna Fáil
10. Charles Haughey 8 October 1964 6 July 1965 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries 1965–1977

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Charles Haughey 6 July 1965 10 November 1966 Fianna Fáil
11. Neil Blaney 10 November 1966 7 May 1970 Fianna Fáil
12. Jim Gibbons (1st time) 7 May 1970 14 March 1973 Fianna Fáil
13. Mark Clinton 14 March 1973 9 February 1977 Fine Gael

[edit] Minister for Agriculture 1977–1987

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Mark Clinton 9 February 1977 5 July 1977 Fine Gael
Jim Gibbons (2nd time) 5 July 1977 11 December 1979 Fianna Fáil
14. Ray MacSharry 12 December 1979 30 June 1981 Fianna Fáil
15. Alan Dukes 30 June 1981 9 March 1982 Fine Gael
16. Brian Lenihan 9 March 1982 14 December 1982 Fianna Fáil
17. Austin Deasy 14 December 1982 10 March 1987 Fine Gael
18. Michael O'Kennedy 10 March 1987 31 March 1987 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture & Food 1987–1993

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Michael O'Kennedy 31 March 1987 14 November 1991 Fianna Fáil
19. Michael Woods 14 November 1991 11 February 1992 Fianna Fáil
20. Joe Walsh (1st time) 11 February 1992 21 January 1993 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture, Food & Forestry 1993–1997

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Joe Walsh (1st time) 21 January 1993 15 December 1994 Fianna Fáil
21. Ivan Yates 15 December 1994 26 June 1997 Fine Gael
Joe Walsh (2nd time) 26 June 1997 12 July 1997 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture & Food 1997–1999

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
     Joe Walsh (2nd time) 12 July 1997 27 September 1999 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture, Food & Rural Development 1999–2002

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Joe Walsh (2nd time) 29 September 1999 6 June 2002 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture & Food 2002–2007

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Joe Walsh (2nd time) 6 June 2002 29 September 2004 Fianna Fáil
22. Mary Coughlan 29 September 2004 14 June 2007 Fianna Fáil

[edit] Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food 2007–present

# Name Entered Office Left Office Party
Mary Coughlan 14 June 2007 7 May 2008 Fianna Fáil
23. Brendan Smith 7 May 2008 Incumbent Fianna Fáil

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ James Dillon resigned from Fine Gael in 1942 over his opposition to neutrality and rejoined the party only in 1953; however, he remained closely associated with Fine Gael in the intervening period.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links