Kildare TD ‘odds on’ for promotion in Agriculture

MARTIN Heydon is heavily tipped for promotion in the new Government, and is widely expected to move up one office - from Minister for State in the department to actually being the next Minister for Agriculture.

Attempts were made to seek a confirmation, or comment on the situation, but unsurprisingly the Kilcullen man is keeping his card close to his chest prior to cabinet announcements on Wednesday.

Speaking with Agriland before the weekend Heydon only said: “First of all, nobody will know who has been appointed to those positions ; there’s loads of speculation but it’s a matter for the party leaders. They will make that decision on Wednesday (22 January) and announce it at that stage. Whatever role I’m asked to serve in, at any stage in the next Dail, by Simon Harris I’ll be happy to take that on, and do my very best for the country”.

However, a man that formerly held that very job – Wexford farmer and former Fine Gael TD Ivan Yeates said: “I am reliably told that Martin Heydon will be the next Minister for Agriculture, and you can quote me on that”.

Backing this up, one major bookmaker has quoted Heydon as odd-on favourite for the job.

He is to the manor born, in this respect, as he lives on the family farm, and attended agricultural college in Kilkenny.

He has served a solid apprenticeship in the Department, having been Minister for State in Agriculture and Marine for the entirety of the last Government, and previously Chair of Fine Gael’s Internal Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs between 2011 and 2016.

Following this, Heydon was chair of his party’s Parliamentary Party from 2016 to 2020.

He was first elected as a a 33-year-old in 2011 when he topped the poll and was elected on first count, 3,000 votes over quota.

Heydon is married to pharmacist and two-time All-Star Brianna, who captained Kildare to All-Ireland glory in 2004, and last year came out of retirement at 42 years of ace to help her club win a fifth county title.