With Phil Hogan finally being confirmed as Ireland’s nomination to the Commission, ICOS strongly calls the government to target the Agriculture portfolio in Brussels.

The Agri portfolio remains a big hitter in the college of commissioners, covering a policy area that has almost 40% of the EU budget, and represents over 80% of the funds we draw down from Europe in Ireland.

Both from a finance and regulatory policy perspective, what happens in Brussels is fundamental to the successful operation of our co-operative dairy enterprises and ICOS would strongly back an Irish commissioner in the role for the first time since Ray MacSharry over 20 years ago.

It is all to play for over the next few months with the newly appointed head of the Commission Jean Claude Junker preparing to allocate roles to his team from each of the 28 member states. ICOS believes it makes sense for Ireland to target the Agri brief.