Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue has been appointed as the new Minister for Agriculture.

The Taoiseach announced the appointment of his third Agriculture Minister in as many months in the Dáil this afternoon.

Wexford TD James Browne has been drafted in to replace him as Minister of State at the Department of Justice.

It is a privilege to be called to serve in Cabinet. I wish Charlie McConologue all the best in Agriculture, Food and Marine. He will be a great Minister in a great Department.

— Barry Cowen (@CowenBarry) September 2, 2020

Announcing the nomination, Michéal Martin said Deputy McConalogue has a "broad and deep" knowledge of the agriculture sector.

“I would ask that Dáil Éireann approves the nomination by the Taoiseach for appointment by the President to be a member of the Government,” he said.

“It is my intention to assign to Deputy McConalogue the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

“Deputy McConalogue’s knowledge of this area is both broad and deep. A proud son of both Donegal and the Inishowen Peninsula, he brings with him a perspective rooted in communities that have always been defined by their spirit and determination to shape a more prosperous future.”

Deputy McConalogue, who previously acted as Fianna Fáil's agriculture spokesperson, will succeed Dara Calleary, who resigned over last month's Oireachtas golf society dinner controversy.

Deputy Calleary took the role after Offaly TD Barry Cowen was fired amid controversy over a 2016 drink driving offence.