Johnny Brady (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I commend the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Deputy Coughlan, on the wonderful job she has done since her appointment in 2003 in leading the drive to develop a sustainable, competitive and consumer-focused agrifood sector. She has a wide brief that covers many issues such as competitiveness of agricultural production, development of the food production sector, maintaining food safety and quality and improving animal health and welfare. As outgoing chairman of the agriculture committee, I congratulate her on her reappointment as Minister. Each of the different farmers' organisations was glad she was reappointed because they have great faith and confidence in her.

I congratulate my former constituency colleague, Deputy Wallace, who may be my constituency colleague again after today's announcement, on her appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. I also welcome Deputy Sargent's appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, with responsibility for food and horticulture.

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