Meath County Council hosts visit by Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), Michael Healy-Rae, TD, visited Meath County Council's offices yesterday morning where several of the Council's ongoing projects in the areas of biodiversity and climate action were discussed.
The minister, who has special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, was welcomed by Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Wayne Harding, Chief Executive of Meath County Council, Kieran Kehoe, along with other elected members, and personnel from the council’s management team.
During the visit, the minister was taken through Meath’s enduring successes in the council’s key priority areas of biodiversity and heritage, climate action, community, and environment, as well as the council’s work with the Centre of Food Culture and Boyne Valley Flavours.
Significant recent accomplishments discussed include Meath County Council’s 2025 commendation by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the Environmental and regulatory work they have conducted, the council’s creation of native woodlands on sites in Liscartan and Galtrim following approval by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, their ongoing work on the Hare’s Corner initiative which has seen over 400 biodiversity habitats being created across the Meath countryside, and the local authority’s collaborative work on the management and stewardship of Balrath Woods which not only provides a space for nature but a natural amenity for the public to enjoy.
Meath County Council has also recently progressed three of their sites to assessment stage for potential forestry schemes in the future – in Polecastle, Lobinstown and Footstown Great.
Speaking after the visit, Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council Cllr Wayne Harding said: “We were delighted to welcome Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae to Meath, and be given the opportunity to show the Minister all of the good work being achieved by the council that has us forging a path in many areas covered under his crucial remit in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.”
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Healy-Rae, TD, said: “I was delighted to meet with Meath County Council, which has shown real leadership as an early adopter of our public lands outreach initiative. We have a significant amount of land in public ownership that could be planted, and this is a fantastic opportunity for local government to take a leading role in forestry.
“My Department has been working closely with Meath County Council to examine potential sites for afforestation, conservation and NeighbourWood projects. This collaboration highlights how local authorities can lead the way in delivering climate, biodiversity and community benefits.”
Chief Executive of Meath County Council Kieran Kehoe said: “At Meath County Council, we not only embrace our environmental statutory obligations and understand the importance of our flora, fauna, farmland and food culture, but we are also acutely aware that forestry is intrinsically linked to our achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
“It was a privilege to meet the Minister and share our ongoing commitments to make Meath even better.”