Glowing tributes paid to ‘superb’ minister

GLOWING tributes were paid last night to Agriculture and Food Minister Joe Walsh on his decision to retire.

Fine Gael’s Billy Timmins said Mr Walsh has been to the forefront of Irish agriculture for almost two decades and had overseen the many changes which the industry had undergone.

He said the minister will be best remembered for his handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis, which posed the greatest threat to agriculture in recent times.

Labour’s Dr Mary Upton also extended good wishes.

“Joe Walsh was an effective minister in many respects, not least in his competent handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis a few years ago, and he had a strong passion for his portfolio,” she said. IFA president John Dillon said he will remember Joe Walsh as a minister who was accessible and open to IFA views, who had an excellent understanding of farming and the food industry and was a sound negotiator on behalf of Ireland’s interests.

“I wish to thank him for all his work for farmers and the agri food industry,” he said.

His Cork South West Dáil colleague, Fine Gael’s Jim O’Keeffe described Mr Walsh as “an honourable and decent politician”.

Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Donal O’Rourke, expected to be among the contenders seeking to replace Mr Walsh in the Dáil, said: “Joe has delivered hugely for his home town and the physical and economic transformation of the area, generally, is in no small measure due to his political influence.”

Agri Aware chairman TJ Maher said he was a superb minister, “leading his department with commitment and vision in the promotion and development of the farming and food sector”.