Cork TD hits out at ‘shambles’ of third Minister for Agriculture appointment in 67 days

A CORK TD has hit out at what he described as the “shambles” surrounding the position of the Minister for Agriculture.

Two ministers have left the position in the past two months following controversies.

Barry Cowen was sacked following controversy surrounding a drink-driving ban imposed in September 2016.

His replacement, Dara Calleary, resigned shortly after taking over the role, following the golfgate incident.

It was revealed yesterday that Fianna Fáil’s Charlie McConalogue will be the new Minister for Agriculture.

The Donegal TD has previously been Fianna Fáil’s agriculture spokesperson.

Cork TD Mick Barry (Solidarity), said: “The Government is just 67 days old today — yet the Taoiseach is having to come before the Dáil to ask it to elect a third Minister for Agriculture.

“Never before in the State has this happened.

“Never before in the history of the State has the Government been reduced to such a shambles,” he added.

“They say that every cloud has a silver lining and if there was a silver lining in Golfgate it was surely the anger of the people which forced the resignations.

“I hope that this anger does not go away, I hope it stays to keep this Government under pressure right through the autumn.

“This Government needs to be kept under sustained pressure on, among other things, the issue of workers' rights, to ensure that there is no public sector pay freeze, to ensure that there is no pay freeze for workers on the minimum wage and to ensure justice for the Debenhams workers too.”