The Board of Directors of The Wexford Food Producers Network have announced the appointment of new Chairperson Paul Kehoe. In 2024 Paul Kehoe announced that he would not contest the next general election and subsequently retired from public office after a twenty-two-year career representing the Wexford constituency.
The Wexford Food Producers Network is a member representative and member-led body for Wexford’s food and beverage production sector. With approximately fifty members ranging from sole traders, micro-enterprises, small medium enterprises, and to large exporters, their remit is to support the growth and development of Wexford’s food production sector. The organisation supports Wexford food producers in building a sustainable food industry which provides employment and contributes significantly to the Irish economy on a local, regional and national level.
The Wexford Food Producers Network CLG is a non-for-profit organisation that is recognised and supported by Wexford County Council, Wexford Local Enterprise Office and Wexford Local Development. The organisation engages with national agencies Bord Bia, Bord Iascaigh Mhara, and Ornua – The Irish Dairy Board on the issues that are critical to assisting their member’s businesses to grow.
The food production sector in Wexford is one of the largest per county in Ireland. In 2024 the Food, Drink & Primary Production sector accounted for 40% of all export sales by Irish-owned companies, directly supporting 165,000 jobs, or 6.5% of total employment, predominantly in rural and coastal communities. This significant domestic economic footprint, including its export profile, reflects the natural comparative advantages of Irish production and a long agricultural tradition.
Paul Kehoe has led a distinguished career in Irish public service spanning twenty two years as a TD for the Wexford constituency from 2002 – 2024. He served as Minister of State at the Department of Defence from 2011 to 2020 and Government Chief Whip from 2011 to 2016. He was appointed Chair of the Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in September 2020.
Originally hailing from Bree, Co. Wexford, Paul Kehoe is a proud Wexford man who comes from both an agricultural and political background. He attended Kildalton Agricultural College, Co. Kilkenny and remains active in the farming community to this day.
Paul Kehoe has expressed his wish to contribute to the future development of Wexford’s food production sector and he will be actively engaged in the future strategic development of the organisation going forward. He is looking forward to taking up the role to represent this important sector for Wexford.
