Forestry sector seeks urgent meetings with new minister
Niall Collins has been appointed as the new Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety, and horticulture. He previously was the Minister of State for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
Niall Collins has been appointed as the new Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, farm safety, and horticulture.
The Limerick TD has served as a Minister of State in three positions since 2020, including most recently as Minister of State for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration.
His appointment comes six weeks after Michael Healy-Rae resigned as junior minister over the Government’s handling of the fuel protests. It also comes at a critical time for the forestry sector, with industry groups calling for urgent engagement on the next Forestry Programme, licensing timelines, workforce capacity and planting targets.
Irish Farmers’ Association farm forestry chair Padraig Stapleton said it was “critical” that forestry once again had its own dedicated minister.
“The appointment of Deputy Collins comes at a critical period,” Mr Stapleton said.
"This is due to successive policy decisions such as restrictions on planting productive land, increasing environmental regulation, rising costs associated with managing small farm forests, unworkable conditions being attached to licences, inadequate compensation for farmers with ash dieback, as well as growing concerns regarding risks to plant health."
He said the development of the next Forestry Programme for 2028-2032 must “restore confidence and revive farmers’ interest in planting”.
Forestry representative group SEEFA also welcomed the appointment.
Chairman Paddy Bruton said the industry required continued focus on planting, licensing, timber supply and rural employment.
“A new Forestry Programme is in development, licensing improvements must continue, and practical policies are needed to restore confidence among farmers and landowners,” he said.
Mr Bruton also acknowledged the work undertaken by Mr Healy-Rae during his time in the role, particularly around licensing, the forestry mid-term review and responses to recent windblow events.
Announcing the appointment, Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon said forestry and horticulture were “hugely important sectors” for the economy and wider society.
“My Department is committed to developing and maintaining vibrant forestry and horticulture sectors in support of the achievement of our national climate and biodiversity goals and food security, while also addressing the social, environmental and economic needs of communities and the wider rural economy,” he said.
On taking up the position, Mr Collins said he was looking forward to progressing the Department’s forestry and horticulture strategies and promoting a stronger culture around farm safety and farmer well-being.
“I am particularly looking forward to working to foster a positive culture in relation to farm safety and promoting the physical health and mental well-being of the farming community,” he said.
Earlier this year, Mr Collins highlighted the importance of forestry supports after more than €1m in annual forestry premium payments were issued to forest owners in Limerick.
