I see that the Department of Agriculture’s mudguard, Ultan Waldron, is taking a temporary step away from the press office in Agriculture House.

He is joining the team of advisers at the behest of Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed covering the maternity leave of Áine Kilroy.

While still working in the same building, the two jobs are different. Working for the press office is a State appointment while working for a minister is a political appointment; if the minister goes then so do you. The press officer job in the Department is more stable, if you will.

Waldron has been the Department’s press officer since 2014.