Phil Hogan was in flying form at the Nuffield International Agri-Summit last Friday as he set about pitching his credentials for the top job at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

“I seem to be unfortunate; I always get a job when there’s a crisis and there’s one on the way in terms of food security.”

The former European Commissioner for Agriculture referenced being “unceremoniously hauled down” from Brussels too, when quizzed on his ambitions for the FAO job in Rome.

Asked what advice he would give to future prime ministers of the UK negotiating free trade deals with other countries, he quipped: “I wouldn’t dare advise any non-EU member state like the UK.”

He added that they would have to play intermediate before they play senior.

Intermediate and senior hurling might be standard political phrases in Irish circles but were a little lost beyond the locals.

Current Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, closed the event and former incumbent, Simon Coveney was a speaker too.

Maybe it was too much politicking for some as I heard a southern hemisphere accent say: “You like your politics here, eh?”