It is strange – even unbelievable – for the Taoiseach of a major meat exporting country to proclaim he’s cutting back on his meat intake for health reasons and also to reduce his carbon footprint.

It’s akin to British prime minister Theresa May stating that she’s cutting back on the use of her British-built Jaguar car because she no longer felt it was safe or good for the environment – poor Theresa has made loads of gaffes but even she hasn’t fallen for that one.

It certainly appears that agriculture is the new whipping boy for all health issues and global warming. And the recent report in the Lancet Medical Journal, which suggests meat taxes and the removal of some food products altogether, defies belief.

These scientists aren’t in the real world with their recommended one cocktail sausage and a quarter of a potato a day.

Despite what the vegans and climate-changers believe, meat eating will remain long after these fads are gone

We have to be aware of politicians and scientists with particular agendas. And when it comes to food and climate change issues, they’re as profuse as horseflies in a summer meadow.

I would suggest to the Taoiseach there are other ways he could radically improve his carbon footprint and, not only his, but that of the entire nation.

A sincere commitment to farm-produced alternative energy is one way. And scrap the Government jet and fly by regular scheduled aircraft is another or, better still, travel by boat. And by remaining here instead of spending a couple of weeks swanning around Africa while this country is practically in a Brexit-induced crisis, would be considerably better for the health of the entire nation.

Despite what the vegans and climate-changers believe, meat eating will remain long after these fads are gone. Beans, nuts, lentils and flatulent monkey food will soon lose its appeal.

Remaining with meat, Mrs P and I recently spent a long weekend in London, visiting our two daughters there. Now shops and Mrs P go together like beer and crisps and having done a few of the usual tourist attractions, she was due to go on a bit of a shopping tear. It would be both mean and pointless – even dangerous – to hold her back.

My eye was drawn to the Wagyu beef, which comes from Japan and was retailing at a whopping £500/kg

Now I don’t do shopping and I go to Alfco in Trim and the Gala shop in Kildalkey to buy the Irish Farmers Journal and a Koka pot noodle for lunch, that’s about it (Mrs P works both within and outside the home so I prepare my own lunch). Most of my outdoor clothing is free, courtesy of Drummonds and Yara and other benevolent suppliers. But when in London one must do what the Londoners do and all that.

So off we went to that great shopping emporium, Harrods, and to the Food Hall. I’d see what Irish-produced stuff was on offer. I can’t say I saw a lot but I did see Cashel Blue Cheese. All of the beef seemed to be “premium Scotch”, dry-aged for 32 days, no more.

However, my eye was drawn to the Wagyu beef, which comes from Japan and was retailing at a whopping £500/kg.

You’d want to keep a good eye on the meat factory carcase-trimmers if you were getting your Wagyu killed. It’s quite strange-looking meat, really well marbled by specs of fat throughout the meat and, yes, I’d like to try it.

But Wagyu was beyond my reach and that evening I was keen that we would give the Five Guys burger chain a shot. It’s hailed as the best burger in town, with chips fried in peanut oil. It was good and I’d heartily recommend one to Mr Varadkar. Made with Irish beef, of course.