They may be few and far between, but Pippa Hackett is the standout farming minister in the new Government. She is an organic farmer in Geashill, Offaly, and is also involved in bloodstock.

Heather Humphreys, the new Minister for Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands, is from a farming background and owns 25ha of farmland in Newbliss in Co Monaghan. Bert Stewart, former IFA animal health chair, is her brother.

Simon Coveney, the Foreign Affairs and Defence Minister, is a former Minister for Agriculture and holds a degree in agriculture and land management.

Finally, I’m told Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality and Disability, has a cousin who is a dairy farmer in Thurles.