Simon Coveney TD was appointed Minister for Agriculture, Marine and Food on March 9, 2011. He represents and Cork South Central constituency.

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in a by-election for Cork South Central in October 1998, following the untimely death of his father, Hugh Coveney TD. He has served in a number of senior Party and Oireachtas positions.

Simon served as a member of the European Parliament between 2004 and 2009. He is also a former member of Cork City Council.


Some other facts about Simon:
Born in Cork in June 1972, Simon holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and Land Management from Royal Agriculture College, Gloucestershire.
He was also educated at Clongowes Wood College, County Kildare; University College Cork, and Gurteen Agricultural College, County Tipperary.
He is a keen fan of all competitive sport from Gaelic Football and Hurling to Rugby, he played Rugby for Garryowen, Cork Constitution and Crosshaven Rugby Clubs.
In 1997/8 he led the "Sail Chernobyl Project" which involved sailing a boat 30,000 miles around the world and raising €650,000 for charity.
He has travelled extensively, visiting a large number of Third World countries.
He is a fully qualified Sailing Instructor and Life Guard.
For a number of years he had been responsible for the management of the family farm and family interests in County Cork.