Minister Healy-Rae appoints chairperson to the Forestry Appeals Committee
- Published on: 12 December 2025
- Last updated on: 12 December 2025
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with special responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, Michael Healy-Rae TD, has appointed Ed Carrol as chairperson of the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC).
Minister Healy-Rae stated:
“Mr Carrol brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the important role of chair of the Forestry Appeals Committee, and I wish him the very best in his new role.”
Mr Carrol will take over the role from Séamus Neely. His appointment is effective from 1 November 2025 until 31 October 2028.
Based in the Agriculture Appeals Office (AAO) in Portlaoise, the FAC was established as an independent appeals body, under the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001, as amended. The committee hears appeals from applicants or third parties against Department decisions on licences in respect of afforestation, tree felling, forest road works and aerial fertilisation.
The Minister concluded:
“I would like to acknowledge Séamus Neely’s excellent work in chairing and overseeing an effective and responsive appeals process over the last few years, and I wish him well in the future. 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.”
Mr Carrol commented:
“The FAC is a critical part of the national forestry infrastructure, serving to ensure that access to information, decision making and justice as provided for in the Aarhus Convention and the provisions of the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 are fully realised. I am delighted to take on this important role of chair and to continue to build on the great work of my predecessor.”
Notes to Editor
About Ed Carrol
Edmund Carrol was a Chartered Quantity Surveyor for 13 years before changing career to that of Barrister in 1990. He practised on the South Western Circuit and then joined the office of Attorney General in 2001 as Advisory Counsel. He worked in a number of areas in that office but in later years was primarily advising on planning and environmental matters before retiring in 2024.