TAKING up the reins – amid great expectations it has to be said – at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is Donegal TD Charlie McConalogue (FF).

Warm support greeted his appointment from the Irish Sport Horse Industry this week. The new Minister had proved in his Opposition days to be well aware of both the contribution – as well as the untapped potential – of our vibrant equestrian sector which supports over 14,000 full-time jobs and is worth close to €1 billion a year to the Irish economy.