I was flicking through the latest register of interests for all the country’s TDs to see how many of them have farm land.

There are the usual farmers like Andrew Doyle, James Bannon and Martin Heydon but there are a few unusual candidates who have a bit of land.

Jobs Minister Richard Bruton is a noted landowner and the register shows that he has 225 acres. Independent TD Michael Healy Rae has 100 acres, Arts Minister Heather Humphreys (sister of IFA Ulster/north Leinster chairman Bert Stewart) has 62 acres, Mattie McGrath has 59 acres and Fianna Fáil TD Michael Moynihan has 80 acres.

Two of the more interesting landowners are current Finance Minister Michael Noonan and former Health Minister Dr James Reilly.

Noonan has 20 acres of "mixed pasture and woodland" and "other farmland and woodland" which is "let" according to the register. Dr Reilly, who is currently the Minister for Children, has 150 acres of farming and woodland in Moneygall, Offaly, 100 acres of which is “let for grazing”.

The TDs obviously see land as a good investment.

TDs and Senators must declare all the property, land and shares they own each year to the register of interests.