Martin Heydon | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Heydon in 2024 | |
| Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine | |
| Assumed office 23 January 2025 | |
| Taoiseach | |
| Preceded by | Charlie McConalogue |
| Minister of State | |
| 2020–2025 | Agriculture, Food and the Marine |
| Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party | |
| In office 1 March 2016 – 1 July 2020 | |
| Leader | |
| Preceded by | Dan Neville |
| Succeeded by | Richard Bruton |
| Teachta Dála | |
| Assumed office February 2011 | |
| Constituency | Kildare South |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1978-08-09)9 August 1978 (age 47) Portlaoise,County Laois, Ireland |
| Political party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Kildalton Agricultural College |
| Website | martinheydon |
Martin Heydon (born 9 August 1978) is an IrishFine Gael politician who has served asMinister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine since January 2025. He has been aTeachta Dála (TD) for theKildare South constituency since 2011. He previously served asMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine from 2020 to 2025 and theChair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party from 2016 to 2020.[1][2]
Heydon is a native of SouthCounty Kildare and lives outside ofKilcullen town, owning a family farm.[3] He was educated inCrookstown National School, Cross and Passion College Kilcullen andTeagasc Kildalton Agricultural College inCounty Kilkenny.[4]
Heydon joined Fine Gael in 2008. He was elected at the2009 Kildare County Council election on his first attempt. In February 2011, following his election to the Dáil, he was replaced on Kildare County Council by Ivan Keatley.[4]
At the2011 general election, Heydon contestedKildare South and polled over 12,000 votes, being elected on the first count, more than 3,000 votes over the quota.[5] Fine Gael had been unrepresented in the constituency sinceAlan Dukes had lost his seat in 2002.
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He served as Chair of Fine Gael's Internal Committee on Agriculture and Rural Affairs between 2011 and 2016.[6]
Newbridge Fine Gael Councillor Fiona McLoughlin Healy was added to the ticket for the2016 general election as his running mate.[7] Heydon won re-election, topping the poll in Kildare South.[8]
On 8 June 2016, Heydon was elected Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, succeeding retiredLimerick TDDan Neville. Heydon's responsibilities in this role included chairing the weekly meeting of the party's TDs, Senators and MEPs.[9][10]
In July 2020, following the formation of thegovernment of the 33rd Dáil, Heydon was appointedMinister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development.
On 23 January 2025, Heydon was appointed asMinister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in thegovernment led byMicheál Martin, following the2024 general election.[11]
Heydon is married to pharmacist and formerladies' GAA All-Star Brianne Leahy.[12] The couple have three sons and a daughter.[13]
He is an officer of his local Gaelic football club,St Laurence's GAA.[14]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2020–2025 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded byas Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine | Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine 2025–present | Incumbent |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party 2016–2020 | Succeeded by |