Phil Hogan has been named as the EU's new Trade Commissioner.
The European Commission's president-elect, Ursula von der Leyen, announced Mr Hogan's new role in a speech this morning.
She also announced other roles in in the College of Commissioners.
Mr Hogan was made EU Agriculture Commissioner five years ago after being nominated for the post by former taoiseach Enda Kenny.
The 59-year-old was nominated as Ireland's commissioner for a second time by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar in June.
Pat McCormack - president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association - welcomed Mr Hogan's appointment but warned that the new Trade Commissioner needs to protect the interests of rural Ireland.
“He is an Irish man, but he now has to wear a European hat. He needs to protect the primary producers out there,” Mr McCormack told RTÉ radio’s Today with Sean O’Rourke show.
“It is a welcome appointment and I put the challenge to him that he needs to protect Ireland’s interests in the event of any kind of Brexit.”
- additional reporting by Vivienne Clarke
