Tom Hayes TD appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

The Government today appointed Deputy Tom Hayes as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine.

Minister of State Hayes will assume the role held by the late Shane McEntee and will have special responsibility for Forestry, Horticulture, the Greyhound Industry and Food Safety.

The new Minister of State is a beef farmer from Golden, Co Tipperary. He has served as a Dail deputy for Tipperary South since his election in a bye election in 2001. He previously served as a member of Seanad Eireann from 1997 to 2001.

He has served as opposition spokesperson on Agriculture in the Seanad and, for eight years, as Chairperson of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party. Since 2011, he has served as Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications.

Commenting on the appointment, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said:

“Tom Hayes has a deep understanding of the agriculture sector and I am confident that this, along with his political and farming experience, will equip him very well for this important and challenging role.”

Minister of State Tom Hayes said:

“I am delighted and honoured to have this opportunity to serve as Minister of State. I look forward to working closely with Minister Simon Coveney and other Government colleagues on the continued development of these very important sectors.”