Simon Coveney, who was minister for agriculture, food and the marine from 2011 to 2016, has taken up a new consultancy role with EY Ireland.

Coveney, who held a number of senior government portfolios including Tánaiste and minister for enterprise, has joined EY Ireland's geopolitical strategy team as a consultant.

According to the professional services organisation its geopolitical strategy unit, helps companies navigate "this era of heightened geopolitical complexity" with the careful integration of "political risk management into business strategy and governance, among other areas".

Coveney, who holds a degree in agriculture and land management, announced his intention to step away from politics last July when he confirmed that he would not be a candidate in the general election.

He had first walked through the doors of the Dáil as a TD in 1998, he was also elected to the European Parliament in 2004 and returned to the Dáil in the 2007 general election.

But last year the former Cork South Central TD said despite it being "the privilege of my life" to have been elected for 26 years it was time for him "to change direction".

Today (Monday, April 14) Coveney said he was "delighted to join EY’s geopolitical strategy unit as a consultant".

"I am looking forward to working with EY clients to help them effectively identify, assess and manage political risk in a world that is changing at incredible pace," he added.

Frank O'Keeffe, EY Ireland managing partner, said the organisation was very pleased that Simon Coveney was joining its team "at a time when elevated levels of political risk are creating both challenges and opportunities for our clients".

O'Keeffe added: "These are complex times.

"We know that Simon’s long and distinguished career in public service will allow us to bring even deeper insights and value to our clients as we help them to adjust in real time to a changing global marketplace and to advance no regret decisions that deliver real value.”