The fallout from Dara Calleary's resignation as Minister for Agriculture has so far focused on the impact on Government stability.
However, a second Minister for Agriculture vacating the portfolio in the space of just a few weeks represents a devastating blow to farmers and the wider agricultural sector. The timing could not have been worse. As the sector braces for the impact of Brexit and faces into highly complex negotiations around the future of the CAP, the need for strong political leadership and the development of key political alliances across the EU has never been greater.
Within hours of Dara Calleary's resignation, we saw the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator warning that a trade deal with the UK now looks unlikely. The Government’s own analysis shows the financial impact of such an outcome on Irish agriculture will be in the region of €1.7bn per annum.
CAP reform
Meanwhile, with Germany assuming the presidency of the EU Council, political momentum around CAP reform has gathered pace. Key negotiations on EU budgets and policy that will influence income on Irish farms for the next decade will be made in the coming months.
Any suggestion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin would delay the appointment of a new Minister for Agriculture until the Dáil resumes in three weeks’ time would show a total disregard for the sector and the right for farmers to have proper political representation.
Strong political representation at EU agricultural council meetings and forming strategic political alliances with EU agricultural ministers is vital to ensuring the interests of Irish farmers are protected in these negotiations. The fact that three different Ministers for Agriculture will have represented the interests of Irish farmers at EU agricultural council meetings since June hugely undermines the Irish influence around the negotiating table.
Leadership
The lack of political leadership within the sector is also hugely damaging at national level. It comes amid the building of a national strategic plan, which will shape the implementation of CAP policy and influence the long-term direction of agricultural activity within the State.
Achieving a policy outcome that balances productivity with the environment will require real political skill and a Minister for Agriculture that has a deep understanding of the complex range of issues facing each sector.
Any suggestion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin would delay the appointment of a new Minister for Agriculture until the Dáil resumes in three weeks’ time would show a total disregard for the sector and the right for farmers to have proper political representation.
The lack of political leadership within the sector is also hugely damaging at national level
In the coming days, a critical two day informal meeting of EU agricultural ministers will take place in Brussels. Negotiations around future CAP policy will be top of the agenda. For Ireland's seat around this table to be left empty, or even filled by a Junior Minister, would show a total disregard for the farming community.
Fiasco
Micheál Martin must recognise that the fiasco he has presided over since becoming Taoiseach has been hugely damaging, not only for his Government, but for the agricultural sector. With a no-deal Brexit looming and with CAP reform top of the agenda in Brussels, the Taoiseach’s key priority and that of the Government must be to identify and immediately appoint a Minister for Agriculture.
The successful candidate must have the capacity, understanding of the sector and political alliances necessary to ensure they can hit the ground running.
There are a number of TDs with this skillset, including a former agriculture minister with huge Brexit and CAP experience from the previous negotiations, plus a very competent former opposition spokesperson on agriculture. If this Government is to regain any credibility among farmers, all barriers to getting the right person for the job should be removed – even if this requires a cabinet reshuffle.
Agriculture is one of the most important portfolios in the country and this must be reflected in whoever is next appointed.
Read more
Hogan: hotel was assured golf dinner was in compliance with COVID rules
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary resigns
Minister Calleary apologises 'unreservedly' for attending event
The fallout from Dara Calleary's resignation as Minister for Agriculture has so far focused on the impact on Government stability.
However, a second Minister for Agriculture vacating the portfolio in the space of just a few weeks represents a devastating blow to farmers and the wider agricultural sector. The timing could not have been worse. As the sector braces for the impact of Brexit and faces into highly complex negotiations around the future of the CAP, the need for strong political leadership and the development of key political alliances across the EU has never been greater.
Within hours of Dara Calleary's resignation, we saw the EU’s chief Brexit negotiator warning that a trade deal with the UK now looks unlikely. The Government’s own analysis shows the financial impact of such an outcome on Irish agriculture will be in the region of €1.7bn per annum.
CAP reform
Meanwhile, with Germany assuming the presidency of the EU Council, political momentum around CAP reform has gathered pace. Key negotiations on EU budgets and policy that will influence income on Irish farms for the next decade will be made in the coming months.
Any suggestion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin would delay the appointment of a new Minister for Agriculture until the Dáil resumes in three weeks’ time would show a total disregard for the sector and the right for farmers to have proper political representation.
Strong political representation at EU agricultural council meetings and forming strategic political alliances with EU agricultural ministers is vital to ensuring the interests of Irish farmers are protected in these negotiations. The fact that three different Ministers for Agriculture will have represented the interests of Irish farmers at EU agricultural council meetings since June hugely undermines the Irish influence around the negotiating table.
Leadership
The lack of political leadership within the sector is also hugely damaging at national level. It comes amid the building of a national strategic plan, which will shape the implementation of CAP policy and influence the long-term direction of agricultural activity within the State.
Achieving a policy outcome that balances productivity with the environment will require real political skill and a Minister for Agriculture that has a deep understanding of the complex range of issues facing each sector.
Any suggestion that Taoiseach Micheál Martin would delay the appointment of a new Minister for Agriculture until the Dáil resumes in three weeks’ time would show a total disregard for the sector and the right for farmers to have proper political representation.
The lack of political leadership within the sector is also hugely damaging at national level
In the coming days, a critical two day informal meeting of EU agricultural ministers will take place in Brussels. Negotiations around future CAP policy will be top of the agenda. For Ireland's seat around this table to be left empty, or even filled by a Junior Minister, would show a total disregard for the farming community.
Fiasco
Micheál Martin must recognise that the fiasco he has presided over since becoming Taoiseach has been hugely damaging, not only for his Government, but for the agricultural sector. With a no-deal Brexit looming and with CAP reform top of the agenda in Brussels, the Taoiseach’s key priority and that of the Government must be to identify and immediately appoint a Minister for Agriculture.
The successful candidate must have the capacity, understanding of the sector and political alliances necessary to ensure they can hit the ground running.
There are a number of TDs with this skillset, including a former agriculture minister with huge Brexit and CAP experience from the previous negotiations, plus a very competent former opposition spokesperson on agriculture. If this Government is to regain any credibility among farmers, all barriers to getting the right person for the job should be removed – even if this requires a cabinet reshuffle.
Agriculture is one of the most important portfolios in the country and this must be reflected in whoever is next appointed.
Read more
Hogan: hotel was assured golf dinner was in compliance with COVID rules
Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary resigns
Minister Calleary apologises 'unreservedly' for attending event
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: