The jokes are flying around, as is our wont. We Irish like to make light of serious moments.

But make no mistake about it, the loss of a second Minister for Agriculture in little over a month is an unmitigated disaster for farming, for the Department and, of course, for Micheál Martin and his stumbling, shambolic Government.

Where does the Taoiseach now turn to for a replacement? The clever play might be "in the national interest" to call on Simon Coveney to return to Agriculture House and reshuffle accordingly.

The added bonus would be to send Leo Varadkar on the road as Minister for Foreign Affairs, removing one reported source of friction in Government, the presence of two Taoisigh being one more than is generally required.

Coveney is well respected in Brussels and would restore credibility to the ministry.

The 26 other EU agriculture members will surely be bemused at a fourth minister at four successive ministerial councils next month.

However, that won't happen, so we move on. Assuming it's a Fianna Fáil TD, the backbenches look a little light, like a subs bench after an attritional week-to-week championship has taken its toll on a county GAA team.

Fading stars

There are the fading stars like Éamon Ó Cuív, Willie O'Dea, John McGuinness and, indeed, former minister Brendan Smith.

The first two are eligible for the bus pass, the latter pair are close to that landmark. Does Micheál Martin look to experience and maybe wisdom to settle the ship, which is surely lurching?

Younger talents like Jim O'Callaghan and Thomas Byrne are damaged by their recent actions, the former speaking against the leader again last weekend; the latter having to deny he was the source of the Cowen leak about 43 years ago - sorry, last month.

That leaves Jackie Cahill, the former ICMSA leader, who would need little time to read himself into the role.

Or perhaps Charlie McConalogue, who similarly can recite chapter and verse of the detail of agricultural issues.

Or perhaps Anne Rabbitte, a woman, and someone who has been a vocal farmer advocate over the last 12 months in particular.

All these people have been passed over twice for the job, and everyone knows that, but one of them seems destined to land it this time around.

Sidebar

One interesting sidebar - five of the last six Ministers have been Cs: Coughlan, Smith, Coveney, Creed, Cowen and Calleary. Does Jackie Cahill read that as an omen?

Of course, in order for there to be another minister appointed, the Taoiseach and the Government have to survive the next few weeks. That is not a given.

Barry Cowen lasted 17 days as Agriculture Minister before he was sacked. \ Philip Doyle

Firstly, many Green Party members are likely to be examining their consciences over the weekend.

Neasa Hourigan has already resigned as party whip and is likely to be a focal point for a re-examination of the party's role in Government.

Those who opposed coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will feel vindicated and say this is precisely the kind of behaviour that erodes public trust. They are right in that of course.

Sympathy

What of Dara Calleary? I don't detect the same level of personal sympathy that Barry Cowen received.

Attending a golf dinner, one held in part to honour a close friend and mentor, the late Mark Killilea, seems a less serious offence than drink driving, or indeed driving on a provisional licence unaccompanied. However, the fact that Dara Calleary attended a cabinet meeting that agreed to ramp up restrictions to limit people attending funerals and weddings, among other functions, and that left the people of Kildare in lockdown, directly before going to that fateful function is scarcely credible.

Minister for Agriculture Dara Calleary resigned on Friday.\ Philip Doyle

There still has to be a level of personal sympathy for him on a human level.

He and his family will be devastated and whatever either Cowen or Calleary achieve in the future, the two will be forever linked in the public consciousness.

Hogan

And what of Commissioner Phil Hogan? The Kilkenny man is living proof that a politician can overcome a resignation to achieve high office again. Right now, it seems that his explanation is holding.

However, we saw with Barry Cowen that the initial apology or explanation needs to be solid enough to withstand further scrutiny and questioning.

Hogan's supporters say his position is pivotal to Ireland's national interest.

As Trade Commissioner, he is uniquely placed to represent our perspective in the crunch negotiations with the British government leading up to, and indeed after, Brexit.

But this is not over, not for another 72 hours at least, until the columnists and opinion formers have had their say across the airwaves and in the weekend newspapers.

For Government and Commissioner, an anxious few days lie in store. At least now they will all more fully empathise with those families awaiting the results of COVID-19 tests.

Read more

Rotating ministers put agriculture into dangerous spin

Hogan: hotel was assured golf dinner was in compliance with COVID rules