KILDARE TD Martin Heydon is strongly tipped to be named as the new Minister for Agriculture when the Cabinet is revealed next Wednesday in Dáil Eireann.

Heydon is one of the few sitting TDs with a good knowledge of, and interest in, the equine sector. He regularly attends racing and breeding industry events, and has spoken in support of the sector on multiple occasions in the Dáil.

He was a Minister for State in the Department of Agriculture in the outgoing Government and was often handed the lead on equine matters by Minister Charlie McConalogue.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of the Curragh Racecourse and formerly chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, commented: “All politics are local and as a Kildare TD, we obviously wish Martin all the best on Wednesday.

“He has always been a great supporter of the industry, most recently in his role as Minister for State in the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine. Martin has also been very closely involved with the ongoing work on a new management plan for the Curragh Plains.

“Over the years successive governments have recognised the importance of the horse and greyhound industries to the country from both an economic and social perspective and their value to rural communities and I would be hopeful that the incoming government will continue to do this. It was encouraging to see this intention signalled in the draft Programme for Government published on Wednesday.”

Cathy Grassick, chair of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, added: “We would be very supportive of Martin in whatever role he fills in the next Government. He has been a huge advocate for racing in his time as Minister for State.

“We achieved many things with his support and co-operation, notably the lifting of VAT on temporary imports from the UK. Martin was instrumental in making that happen.

“Martin regularly attends ITBA events, seminars and awards ceremonies. He has been an excellent supporter of racing and, while none of us know what will happen next week, we wish him well.”

One major bookmaker quoted Heydon as the odds-on favourite to be the next Minister for Agriculture. Charlie McConalogue is second favourite and followed in the betting by Westmeath TD Peter Burke, who is also known to be keen on racing and breeding.

Ivan Yates, a former Minister for Agriculture himself and a close observer of Irish politics told The Irish Field: “I am reliably told that Martin Heydon will be the next Minister for Agriculture and you can quote me on that.”

Heydon has held several important roles in the Fine Gale party already. He served as chairman of the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party from 2016 to 2020 and he is credited as having played a major role in helping Nina Carberry take a seat in Europe for the party last year.

Asked yesterday if he expected to get the position, Heydon told Agriland: “First of all, nobody will know who’s been appointed into those positions; there’s loads of speculation, but it’s a matter for the party leaders.

“They will make that decision next Wednesday (January 22) and announce it at that stage.

“Whatever role I’m asked to serve in, at any stage in the next Dáil, by Simon Harris I’ll be happy to take that on and do my very best for the country,” he said.