Thanks to Coughlan, agriculture may once again be seen as a stepping stone to even bigger things

The day after the cabinet reshuffle, farmers attending the Teagasc open day in Grange were lamenting Mary Coughlan's move to the position of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Many believed her tough negotiating skills will be missed in the battle to stop Peter Mandelson and his WTO deal, while others said they would simply miss the flamboyance and glamour she brought to one of the most male-dominated industries in the country. However, there was a sense of pride that 'one of our own' had got the prestigious Tanaiste post.

Agriculture was once seen as one of the top three portfolios in the cabinet, but over the last two decades it has slipped well down the pecking order of the most coveted ministerial portfolios.

With increased public awareness of safe food and rising oil prices spurring an interest in biofuel production, there is a renewed interest in agriculture.