The Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy-Rae today (Wednesday, January 29) said he was "honoured, humbled and ready to serve the farming community” following his appointment as a Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).

The government has formally announced all the ministers of state and detailed their responsibilities today.

Minister Healy-Rae will take on a junior ministerial role at DAFM, with special responsibility for forestry, horticulture and farm safety.

The minister said: “It is an expansive role in which there are a number of issues, particularly in forestry and horticulture, as well the issues caused by the most recent storm.

Minister Healy-Rae was first elected to the Kerry County Council in 1999. In 2011, he became a TD for Kerry south, and has been serving as a TD ever since.

"As they say in Irish, 'ní dhéanfaidh smaoineamh an treabhadh duit’  (You'll never plough a field by turning it over in your mind). It’s time to pick up the plough and start the work,” Deputy Healy Rae also said today.

The new minister has pledged to do his best for the people in his constituency.

"We have five councillors, two TD’s and now a Minister of State who will work as hard as they ever have to ensure Kerry will be heard", Minister Healy-Rae added.

Meanwhile the Fianna Fáil TD for Clare, Timmy Dooley, has also appointed been appointed as a Minister of State at DAFM with special responsibility for Fisheries and at the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for the marine.

Separately the former Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine at DAFM, Charlie McConalogue, has been appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media with special responsibility for sport and postal policy.