I see that one of the senior figures in the Department of Agriculture’s meat and dairy division has landed himself a promotion.

Colm Hayes (no, not that Colm Hayes) has been promoted to the position of assistant secretary general and he will be based in Co Wexford. I’m told he will be responsible for a range of topics, including rural development and forestry.

Prior to the promotion, Hayes was principal officer looking after meat and dairy policy. He has worked closely with assistant secretary general in that division, Brendan Gleeson (no, not that Brendan Gleeson).

The pair have been instrumental in getting us this far down the road in securing access to the Chinese beef market, as well opening the US market for beef.