Martin Heydon
Irish politician (born 1978)
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Martin Heydon (born 9 August 1978) is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine since January 2025. He has been a TD for the Kildare South constituency since 2011. He previously served as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine from 2020 to 2025 and the Chair of the Fine Gael parliamentary party from 2016 to 2020.[1][2]
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Martin Heydon | |
|---|---|
Heydon in 2026 | |
| 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 | 9 August 1978 Portlaoise, County Laois, Ireland |
| Party | Fine Gael |
| Spouse |
Brianne Leahy (m. 2009) |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Kildalton Agricultural College |
| Website | martinheydon |
Early life
Heydon is a native of South County Kildare and lives outside of Kilcullen town, owning a family farm.[3] He was educated in Crookstown National School, Cross and Passion College Kilcullen and Teagasc Kildalton Agricultural College in County Kilkenny.[4]
Political career
Heydon joined Fine Gael in 2008. He was elected at the 2009 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 the 2011 general election, Heydon contested Kildare 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 since Alan 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 the 2016 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 retired Limerick TD Dan 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 the government of the 33rd Dáil, Heydon was appointed Minister 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 as Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in the government led by Micheál Martin, following the 2024 general election.[11]
Personal life
Heydon is married to pharmacist and former ladies' 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]