The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine () is a department of the Government of Ireland. According to the department, its mission is to "lead the sustainable development of a competitive, consumer focused agri-food sector and to contribute to a vibrant rural economy and society". It is led by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

Departmental team The official headquarters and ministerial offices of the department are in Agriculture House, Kildare Street, Dublin. The departmental team consists of the following: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine: Martin Heydon, TD Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for food promotion, new markets, research and development: Noel Grealish, TD Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for the marine: Timmy Dooley, TD. Dooley is also a Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. Secretary General of the Department: Brendan Gleeson

Overview

The department has the following divisions: Seafood & Marine Chief Veterinary Officer, One Health, One Welfare Chief Inspector, Environment Chief Financial Officer, Governance Direct Payments Division Agri-Environment, Rural Development and Forestry HR and Corporate Affairs Chief Information Officer and Head of Operations, Information Management and Technology Agri-Food Sectoral Policy and Strategy Development Head of Laboratories, One Health EU/UK and International Affairs

In carrying out its mandate, the department undertakes a variety of functions including: Policy advice and development on all areas of departmental responsibility. Representation in international (especially European Union) and national negotiations. Development and implementation of national and EU schemes in support of agriculture, food, fisheries, forestry and rural development. Monitoring and controlling aspects of food safety. Control and audit of public expenditure under its control. Regulation of the agriculture, fisheries, food industries and forestry through national and EU law. Monitoring and controlling animal and plant health and animal welfare. Monitoring and direction of state bodies engaged in the following areas: Research training and advice. Market development and promotion. Industry regulation and development. Commercial activities. Direct provision of support services to agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry.

In 2017, Joe Healy, the Irish Farmers' Association president, expressed the view that since the UK is Ireland's main trading partner, Brexit could have a "frightening impact" on Ireland's agri-food sector. The UK was the market for 50 per cent, or 270,000 tonnes, of Irish beef exports and if the World Trade Organization (WTO) tariff rates were implemented they would "virtually wipe out" agri-food trade to Britain.

Aegis bodies The following bodies are under the aegis of the department:

An Rialálaí Agraibhia (Agri-Food Regulator) Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board Bord Bia Greyhound Racing Ireland Bord Iascaigh Mhara Coillte Horse Racing Ireland Irish National Stud Marine Institute National Milk Agency Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) Teagasc Veterinary Council of Ireland

History In 1899, Horace Plunkett established the Department's forerunner, called the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland (DATI). Plunkett served as the department's first vice-president, and T. P. Gill as its first Secretary.

The Department of Agriculture was created as a department of the Ministry of Dáil Éireann at one of the first meetings of Dáil Éireann in 1919 with Robert Barton as the first Minister for Agriculture.

It was given a statutory basis by the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924. This act provided it with:

It assigned it with the following branches of administration:

The Irish Land Commission (including the late Congested District Board for Ireland—Agricultural and Land Branches). The Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland (except the business and functions relating to Fisheries and Technical Instruction). The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries except so far as concerned with the Ordnance Survey. The Royal Veterinary College of Ireland. The Public Trustee in Ireland. The Forestry Commission. Farm Institutes of or controlled by Government. Royal Botanic Gardens.

Alteration of name and transfer of functions Over the years its name and functions have changed several times. Date Change2 June 1924Establishment of the Department of Lands and Agriculture22 July 1927Transfer of Irish Land Commission to the Department of Fisheries1 September 1928Renamed as the Department of Agriculture1 December 1933Transfer of Forestry to the Department of Lands and Fisheries1 April 1934Transfer of Fisheries from the Department of Lands and Fisheries9 April 1957Transfer of Fisheries to the Department of Lands3 May 1965Transfer of Fisheries from the Department of Lands6 July 1965Renamed as the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries8 February 1977Transfer of Lands from the Department of Lands8 February 1977Transfer of Fisheries to the Department of Lands9 February 1977Renamed as the Department of Agriculture31 March 1987Renamed as the Department of Agriculture and Food5 May 1987Transfer of Food Standards from the Department of Industry and Commerce10 January 1993Transfer of Forestry from the Department of Energy21 January 1993Renamed as the Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry11 July 1997Transfer of Forestry to the Department of the Marine12 July 1997Renamed as the Department of Agriculture and Food27 September 1999Renamed as the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development18 June 2002Transfer of Rural Development to the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands18 June 2002Transfer of Horse and Greyhound Racing to the Department of Tourism, Sport and Recreation19 June 2002Renamed as the Department of Agriculture and Food19 October 2007Transfer of Fisheries from the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources20 October 2007Renamed as the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food15 January 2010Transfer of Foreshore to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government1 May 2010Transfer of Horse and Greyhound Racing from the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism1 May 2011Transfer of Marine Tourism from the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs17 October 2011Renamed as the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine1 June 2025Transfer of Dog control from the Department of Rural and Community Development1 August 2025Transfer of Dog breeding from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

References

External links