Appointment of Chair of Forestry Appeals Committee (Temporary)
- Published on: 1 July 2025
- Last updated on: 2 July 2025
The Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae, has today announced the appointment of Mr. Seamus Neely as Chairperson of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) on a three-month basis, to ensure the continued operation of the Forestry Appeals Committee while the process of appointing a new Chair is underway. This appointment is made following the completion of the most recent two-year contract of Mr. Neely as Chair of the Committee.
Minister Healy-Rae said:
“I would like to acknowledge Seamus Neely’s excellent work in chairing and overseeing an effective and responsive appeals process. I would also like to thank the deputy chairpersons, all the members of the committee and the staff of the Agriculture Appeals Office for their continued contribution in ensuring an effective and efficient appeals service for the forestry sector. I appreciate also Mr. Neely’s agreement to continue in the role while the search for a new Chair is underway.”
Notes
The FAC was established as an independent appeals body, under the Agriculture appeals Act, 2001, as amended. The Committee hears appeals against decisions on forestry licences, from applicants or third parties who are dissatisfied with decisions made by the department on applications for licences for afforestation, tree felling, forest road works and aerial fertilisation. The FAC is based in the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO), Portlaoise.