New agricultural attachés and a counsellor from the Department of Agriculture have been appointed to roles in Irish Embassy Network overseas.

The attachés’ roles will encompass trade assistance and developing relationships at a political and official level to ensure representation of Irish interests in these countries.

Minister of State with responsibility for New Market Development Martin Heydon said: “From this year, the Department will have more posts outside the EU than inside. This is being done to help Ireland’s agri-food companies deal with the complexities of global markets.”

The new appointments

The new appointments include:

  • John Muldowney, who will join the London Embassy in England. Muldowney originally worked in the climate change and bio energy policy division with the Department.
  • Cormac Fitzpatrick, who will join the Seoul Embassy in Korea. Fitzpatrick originally worked in the forest sector development division with the Department.
  • Martin Crowley will join the Brussels Embassy in Belgium as a permanent representative. Crowley originally worked in the finance division and central procurement development with the Department.
  • Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary said: “Our enhanced focus on market access and trade is a key part of my Department’s response through the twin challenges of the economic impact of COVID-19 and ongoing Brexit uncertainty.

    Building and developing official relationships will be a key remit of their work

    “This work has taken on an added urgency in the light of Brexit and I am increasing our presence in the UK to help us deal with the many changes to our trading relationship.”

    Agriculture attachés are crucial to gaining new market access and maintaining the existing levels of trade.

    Minister Calleary continued: “I am expanding my Department’s global footprint as we currently have eight agricultural attaché posts in embassies worldwide.

    “Building and developing official relationships will be a key remit of their work and should in future help to deepen and widen our access in these markets.”

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