The resignation of Dara Calleary as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine on Friday (August 21) means that the country is facing its third ministerial appointment in that department in just two months.

Micheál Martin has nominally taken over the agricultural portfolio for now.

A number of TDs are being discussed as potential candidates. The list of prospective would-be Ministers for Agriculture includes (but is not limited to) the following (in alphabetical order – scroll down to vote).

Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill, a former president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers’ Association (ICMSA), is well-known in farming circles and has previously expressed an interest in the role. He was first elected to the Dáil in 2016 (Tipperary constituency).

Also the subject of speculation is Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney (Cork South-Central constituency) who previously held the role (Minister for Agriculture) between 2011 and 2016.

However, given that he now serves as the Minister for Foreign Affairs (with a possible no-deal Brexit looming) and given that he is a member of Fine Gael rather than Fianna Fáil (considering the subsequent shuffling of other posts that would be necessitated), it would seem unlikely – at this stage – that he would move to agriculture.

Former Fianna Fáil spokesperson for agriculture Charlie McConalogue is well-known in farming circles (beyond his native Donegal). He was first elected to the Dáil in 2011.

Fellow Fianna Fáil TD Anne Rabbitte (Galway East constituency) is also being discussed as a potential candidate. She is currently a Minister of State for Disability.

So too is Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan constituency), who served as Minister for Agriculture from 2008 until 2011. He also served as Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture between 2004 and 2007.

Please note that this poll is now closed. To see the results, click here.