Tánaiste Simon Coveney delivers 9th biennial Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture
Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Kerry Group host prestigious event in the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin
The Guild of Agricultural Journalists tonight hosted the ninth biennial Michael Dillon Memorial Lecture at a black-tie event in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Simon Coveney took part in an insightful and frank interview with RTE Broadcaster, Sean O’Rourke which touched on the current political environment and the issues facing Irish agriculture.
The lecture, which takes place every two years, is organised by the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland with the support of the Kerry Group. The event was attended by key figures from the Irish agriculture and farming industry along with members of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
Speaking at tonight’s event, An Tanaiste Simon Coveney said ‘‘The agri-food sector remains Ireland’s most important indigenous industry, contributing €13.7 billion to our economy. During the last 10 years, exports have increased by an astounding 74%. And our produce is enjoyed the world over- exported to over 180 markets in 2018.
I will cut to the chase, and acknowledge that we cannot meet here tonight without talking about Brexit. It has been three weeks since the UK formally left the EU at 11 pm on 31 January, but the Brexit process is far from over! With the UKs withdrawal now complete, the next stage of Brexit will require us to work on two fronts, securing agreement on a future EU-UK relationship, and preparing for the changes this will bring.”
“As journalists and communicators in the agriculture sector, we are used to dealing with challenges; be it getting to grips with a changing media landscape to reporting and analysing Brexit, climate change and the next CAP, amongst other things.
Last year alone was one full of challenges for the sector and someone that has been to the forefront of those challenges over the last number of years has been An Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney. We are delighted that he has offered his unique perspective on the challenges facing our industry both from within and outside our country. We are honoured that he has given his time and offered such a frank and informed outlook which was hugely engaging for all attendees.”
About Michael Dillon
The late Michael Dillon was one of Ireland’s foremost agricultural journalists and broadcasters and a founder member of the Irish Guild of Agricultural Journalists in 1961. The first lecture was delivered by former EU Agriculture Commissioner Ray MacSharry in 2003. Since then former EU Commissioner Peter Sutherland, former Irish prime Minister John Bruton, former Irish President Mary Robinson, EU Agricultural Commissioner Phil Hogan and Mark Little from Storyful have been among the lecture series speakers
Amy Forde, Chair, Guild of Agricultural Journalists, Frank Hayes, Kerry Group, Tánaiste Simon Coveney, RTE Broadcaster, Sean O’Rourke and Ray Ryan, All Ireland President, Guild of Agricultural Journalists