Minister Calleary announces Éamon Ó Cuív as new Chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe
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From: Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht
- Published on: 20 November 2025
- Last updated on: 27 November 2025
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary, today (Thursday, 20 November 2025) announced the appointment of Éamon Ó Cuív as chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council).
Comhairle na Tuaithe advises the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht on the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.
Announcing the appointment today, Minister Calleary said:
“I’m pleased that Éamon has agreed to take on this new role. He is no stranger to Comhairle na Tuaithe and was instrumental in establishing the advisory body in 2004 when he was the Minister for Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs.
“I know that he has a keen interest in all aspects of outdoor recreation and continues to be a strong supporter of rural communities and the sustainable use of the countryside. His experience and expertise will be a huge asset to Comhairle na Tuaithe.
“Éamon is taking over the role from Dr. Liam Twomey, who expertly led Comhairle for the last seven years. While Chair, Liam played a significant role in the development of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the national outdoor recreation strategy, and its implementation to date.”
Accepting the role, Éamon Ó Cuív said:
“I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to be the Chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe. All the key stakeholders in outdoor recreation are represented on Comhairle and I am looking forward to continuing the good work of the previous chairperson Liam Twomey, by working with them all to support the continued delivery of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy 2023 to 2027.”
Notes
Éamon Ó’Cuív
Éamon Ó'Cuív was TD for the Galway West consituency from the 27th Dail in 1992 through to the 33rd Dáil in 2024, having previously served as a Senator from 1989 to 1992. He served as a Deputy leader of Fianna Fáil from 2011 to 2012.
He has held a number of ministerial positions including:
- Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands 1997-2001
- Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development with responsibility for rural development and the Western Development Commission 2001-2002
- Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 2002-2010
- Minister for Social Protection 2010-2011
Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council/ Comhairle) is an Advisory Council which was established in February 2004 as a non-statutory body by the then Department for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs. It meets four times a year and is made up of stakeholder representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and state bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside.
In 2019 an independent chair was appointed to Comhairle for the first time, along with a new mandate to reinforce and strengthen its advisory role for the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland.
Since the inception of Comhairle there has been significant growth in the number of people engaging in outdoor recreation. Over the last number of years Comhairle has played a lead role in the development and implementation of ‘Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors’, the national outdoor recreation strategy 2023-2027 which was published in November 2022. Comhairle continues to play a vital role in the oversight and implementation of the strategy over the course of its lifetime.
The appointment as Chair will be for an initial period of three years.
Further details on the membership and work of Comhairle na Tuaithe can be found on www.gov.ie at the following link: Comhairle na Tuaithe.