Joe Walsh (born 1943) is a Fianna Fáil politician in the Republic of Ireland. He has been Minister for Agriculture since 1997.

Joe Walsh was born in May 1943 in Cork. He was educated at University College Cork and began working in the dairy industry. He became involved with Fianna Fáil at University and was elected to Dáil Éireann in 1977. He was defeated in the 1981 general election but was elected to Seanad Éireann. He was re-elected in the 1982 general election. He became a member of the Gang of 22 that challenged Charles Haughey's leadership during the early 1980's. Despite this Walsh was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture & Food when Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1987 with Mr. Haughey as Taoiseach. In 1989 he assisted in the negotiations which lead to the formation of the first coalition between Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats. He was re-appointed as Minister for State. When Albert Reynolds came to power in 1992 Walsh joined the Cabinet and became Minister for Agriculture. When Fianna Fáil returned to power in 1997 he was again appointed Minister for Agriculture, a position he has held ever since. He has been credited with his handling of the Foot & Mouth Crisis in 2000. On August 13, 2004 Walsh announced that he would resign his cabinet post. This occured in anticipation of a cabinet reshuffle the following month in which it was rumoured Walsh would be dropped from the government in any case. He also announced that he would not contest his Dáil seat in the next general election.

Joe Walsh Official Website

• http://www.joewalsh.ie/