The Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine () is a senior
minister in the
Government of Ireland
The Government of Ireland () is the executive (government), executive authority of Republic of Ireland, Ireland, headed by the , the head of government. The government – also known as the cabinet (government), cabinet – is composed of Mini ...
and leads the
Department of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine.
The current Minister for Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and the Marine is
Martin Heydon. He is assisted by three
ministers of state
Minister of state is a designation for a government minister, with varying meanings in different jurisdictions. In a number of European countries, the title is given as an honorific conferring a higher rank, often bestowed upon senior ministers ...
:
*
Noel Grealish, TD – Minister of State for food promotion, new markets, research and development
*
Michael Healy-Rae, TD – Minister of State for forestry, farm safety and horticulture
*
Timmy Dooley, TD – Minister of State for the marine
Functions
The department's functions include:
*Policy advice and development on all areas of departmental responsibility
*Representation in international especially
European Union
The European Union (EU) is a supranational union, supranational political union, political and economic union of Member state of the European Union, member states that are Geography of the European Union, located primarily in Europe. The u ...
and national negotiations;
*Development and implementation of national and EU schemes in support of agriculture, fisheries, forestry and
rural development
Rural development is the process of improving the quality of life, quality of life and economic well-being of people living in rural areas, often relatively isolated and sparsely populated areas. Often, rural regions have experienced rural povert ...
.
*Monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety.
*Control and audit of public expenditure under its control.
*Regulation of the agriculture, fisheries and food industries through national and
EU law
European Union law is a system of Supranational union, supranational Law, laws operating within the 27 member states of the European Union (EU). It has grown over time since the 1952 founding of the European Coal and Steel Community, to promote ...
.
*Monitoring and controlling animal and plant health and animal welfare.
*Monitoring and direction of state bodies engaged in the following areas:
**Research training and advice.
**Market development and promotion.
**Industry regulation and development.
**Commercial activities.
*Direct provision of support services to agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
List of office-holders
;Notes
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Lists of government ministers of Ireland
Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland
Fishing in Ireland
Government ministers of the Republic of Ireland
Minister