Stephen Cadogan: Restoring funding for farming and food sector key for Michael Creed

The election message from the countryside was heard loud and clear, and Rural Ireland was front and centre, when newly appointed Taoiseach Enda Kenny nominated the members of his government last week.

He will chair a dedicated cabinet committee on regional and rural affairs, to provide for effective monitoring of delivery and clearer co-ordination across all policy areas that affect rural Ireland.

Agriculture, Food and the Marine gets back its own exclusive minister in the form of Michael Creed.