The role of director general of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) is elected every four years. Hogan, who served as commissioner for agriculture in the EU’s executive body from 2014 to 2019, had soundings taken in Dublin and Brussels. On Tuesday the Government nominated Hogan as Ireland’s candidate to contest the election for the senior UN job. Inside the Berlaymont, Christophe Hansen, the current EU agriculture commissioner, was believed to be supportive of Hogan entering the fray. Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris were both keen to make sure a nominee came through an independent process for the FAO job.

Source: The Irish Times March 06, 2026 19:01 UTC