Irish Minister for Agriculture
The Minister for Agriculture & Food is an important position in the Irish Cabinet. The Minister is in charge of the Department of Agriculture & Food, where he or she creates and implements policy in the agricultural sector.
The Department of agriculture & Food has a number of important functions. They include:
- policy advice and development on all areas of Departmental responsibility;
- representation in international especially EU and national negotiations;
- development and implementation of national and EU schemes in support of agriculture food rural development and rural environment;
- monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety;
- control and audit of public expenditure under its control;
- regulation of the agriculture and food industries through national and EU legislation;
- 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 and food.
Minister for Agriculture 1921-1924
Minister for Lands & Agriculture 1924-1930
Minister for Agriculture 1930-1965
| #
| Name
| Took Office
| Left Office
| Party
|
| Patrick Hogan | April 3, 1930 | March 9, 1932 | Cumann na nGaedhael
|
| 3. | James Ryan | March 9, 1932 | January 21, 1947 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 4. | Patrick Smith (1st time) | January 21, 1947 | February 18, 1948 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 5. | James Dillon | February 18, 1948 | June 13, 1951 | Fine Gael
|
| 6. | Thomas Walsh | June 13, 1951 | June 2, 1954 | Fianna Fáil
|
| James Dillon (2nd time) | June 2, 1954 | March 20, 1957 | Fine Gael
|
| 7. | Frank Aiken (1st time) | March 20, 1957 | May 16, 1957 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 8. | Seán Moylon | May 16, 1957 | November 16, 1957 | Fianna Fáil
|
| Frank Aiken (2nd time) | November 16, 1957 | November 27, 1957 | Fianna Fáil
|
| Patrick Smith (2nd time) | November 27, 1957 | October 8, 1964 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 9. | Charles Haughey | October 8, 1964 | July 6, 1965 | Fianna Fáil
|
Minister for Agriculture & Fisheries 1965-1977
Minister for Agriculture 1977-1987
| #
| Name
| Took Office
| Left Office
| Party
|
| Mark Clinton | February 9, 1977 | July 5, 1977 | Fine Gael
|
| 13. | Jim Gibbons | July 5, 1977 | (December 11, 1979 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 14. | Ray MacSharry | December 12, 1979 | (June 30, 1981 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 15. | Alan Dukes2 | June 30, 1981 | March 9, 1982 | Fine Gael
|
| 16. | Brian Lenihan | March 9, 1982 | (December 14, 1982 | Fianna Fáil
|
| 17. | Austin Deasy | December 14, 1982 | March 10, 1987 | Fine Gael
|
| Michael O'Kennedy | March 10, 1987 | March 31, 1987 | Fianna Fáil
|
Minister for Agriculture & Food 1987-1993
Minister for Agriculture & Food 1993-1997
Minister for Agriculture & Food 1997-1999
Minister for Agriculture, Food & Rural Development 1999-2002
Minister for Agriculture & Food 2002-present
See also
