They his experience as Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson is a positive.
Farming organisations are confident the new agriculture minister can hit the ground running.
Fianna Fáil TD Charlie McConalogue will be the third person to take charge of the portfolio in six months.
Brexit, CAP re-structuring and progressing the beef taskforce will be some of his initial challenges.
Edmond Phelan of the Portlaoise-based Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers' Association says his previous experience on the opposition benches is a positive and expects to meet him soon:
Midlands Gardaí Appeal For Witnesses To Fatal Crash
Midlands Security & Defence Analyst Says Hoax Bomb Threats Aimed To Intimidate
Almost €446,000 Allocated To Midlands Community Centres And Clubhouses
Midlands Family Takes On Ireland’s Fittest Family Challenge
5K Fundraiser To Support Motor Neurone Disease Association Takes Place In Westmeath
No Slowing Down With Age As Westmeath Bowlers Shine At 14th Annual National Bowls Competition
Woman Appears In Court Over €280k Cannabis Seizure In Midlands