Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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The AGRIFISH Council meets once a month. It is probably the most intense Council meeting along with ECOFIN. There are few Irish Ministers who have to go out there every month. I do not miss an opportunity to engage and get to know the officials. There are people in the cabinet of Commissioner Hansen and others who I knew previously in different roles. You build those relationships and get out there. We are a member of the European People's Party, EPP, Group, which meets prior to the AGRIFISH council. Eleven or 12 of the agriculture ministers are part of that group. My officials are constantly working and we have the Department officials based in Brussels in the Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union. We continue to work across those levels. As well as the CAP, we engage on issues such as nitrate levels. I met Commissioner Roswall on Monday as well as Commissioner Hansen to discuss policies.