FIANNA Fáil and Fine Gael have agreed a programme for government with nine Independent TDs - giving a Dáil majority of 17. The new government will take office after Micheál Martin is elected Taoiseach next Wednesday.

It is understood that Fianna Fáil will have eight ministers, while Fine Gael will have seven. Three new Minister of State roles will be created, bringing the number of junior ministers to 23. Fianna Fáil will hold the role of Taoiseach for longer than Fine Gael under the agreement.

In terms of the next Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon, an outgoing Minister of State at the same department, is thought to be a strong contender, with Independent TDs Michael Healy-Rae and Noel Grealish set to become Ministers of State at the DAFM.

The Irish Field understands Kerry’s Healy-Rae will have forestry under his portfolio (previously held by the Green Party’s Pippa Hackett), while Galway west TD Grealish will take food production and market development.

Other independent TDs familiar with farming and rural issues set to receive Minister of State positions include Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin and Westmeath TD Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran. Harkin is set to be Minister of State at the Department of Education with responsibility for further education, apprenticeships and education and training boards (ETBs).

Moran will reprise his role as Minister of State for the Office of Public Works (OPW) and flood relief.

Equine sector

With regard to the equine sector, the Programme for Government 2025 states the government will:

  • Continue to support our equine sector’s status as a global leader and deliver on key strategic infrastructure projects.
  • Support the development of the sport horse sector. Enhance the marketing and breeding of Irish sport horses.
  • Ensure the continued support to the Horse and Greyhound Fund, considering the vital economic and social contribution generated by these sectors in rural areas.
  • Make additional resources available to enhance both animal welfare and traceability in our equine and greyhound industry.
  • Bring forward a Control of Horses Bill to modernise legislation in this area and to ensure a consistent approach to enforcement powers around detention, notice and release of stray horses seized by local authorities.
  • Ensure sufficient employment permits to support the agri-food sector including the equine, dairy, horticulture, fish and food processing industries.

    • The Irish Horse Board said it was looking forward to working with the new government. In a Facebook post it stated: “It’s very positive to see the commitment to support the Irish Sport Horse industry in marketing, breeding, infrastructural development and enhanced equine traceability in the Programme for Government 2025. With considerable untapped potential, the Irish Sport horse sector can deliver substantial, export-led growth and employment in a sustainable manner in rural Ireland in the years ahead through appropriate government investment.”

    Traceability

    It is understood Professor Patrick Wall’s report on horse traceability is going to the new Minister’s desk when they are appointed next week. The former chairman of Horse Sport Ireland was contracted by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) to carry out a review of the Department’s oversight of the controversial abattoir at the centre of the RTÉ Investigates programme last year, and also to review apparent gaps in the identification and traceability systems used in the equine sector.

    Support

    A number of non-sector specific supports in the Programme that may apply to equine farmers include:

  • Continuing to fund the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme.
  • Reviewing payment rates on designated land under the Farm Plan Scheme.
  • Reviewing investment items and reference costs under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme.
  • Considering the impact of designation of land and seeking to reflect the financial impact of designation of land on farmers in future CAP schemes.
  • Examining a mechanism to engage with stakeholders on the design of national agriculture schemes.

    • On broader supports, the programme said it will make sure the Fair Deal Scheme does not impede succession planning. The Traditional Farm Buildings Grant will also be increased.