Press Release: Wednesday 9 July 2025
Ministers announce establishment of One Health Oversight Committee
The Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD; Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon TD and the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment Darragh O’Brien TD have today notified Cabinet of the establishment of the cross-departmental One Health Oversight Committee.
One Health recognises that the health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the wider environment, including ecosystems, are closely linked and interdependent.
The Committee was established to provide leadership to the One Health approach across the island of Ireland by facilitating collaboration and co-operation to systematically strengthen capacity and collaboration among diverse stakeholders, both within and beyond the health sector. It is co-chaired by the Chief Medical Officer Professor Mary Horgan, the Chief Veterinary Officer Dr June Fanning and Barry Quinlan, Assistant Secretary General for Climate and Environment. Its membership includes senior leaders from various sectors and includes the National Parks and Wildlife Service; Health Service Executive; Food Safety Authority of Ireland; Safefood, Uisce Éireann, academic representation, Environmental Protection Agency and the Northern Ireland Chief Medical Officer and Chief Veterinary Officer.
Its function is to facilitate collaboration that enhances public health intelligence and improve evidence for decision-making so that Ireland can prevent, predict, prepare for and effectively manage health threats.
Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, said:
“Integrating a One Health approach into our national policy framework is important for strengthening our ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health threats. This approach is vital for protecting public health, supporting animal health and food security, and preserving biodiversity and our shared environment.
“We all share this responsibility, and I am grateful to my ministerial colleagues for their support and cooperation in this initiative. I am pleased to have our Chief Medical Officer Prof. Mary Horgan as co-chair of the Oversight Committee, which underscores the importance of strong public health leadership in this collaborative, cross-sectoral effort.”
Minister Martin Heydon, said:
“I fully support the joint establishment of this national Oversight Committee which demonstrates whole of government collaboration and leadership in the One Health space. A One Health collaborative approach will serve to sustainably balance and optimise the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems.
“This Committee through its three co-chairs, including the Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr June Fanning and Barry Quinlan, will support the development of a collaborative multisectoral strategy that recognises the interconnectivity across the sectors supporting a resilient agrifood system and optimal outcomes for society.”
Minister Darragh O’Brien, said:
“As our climate in Ireland changes, we’re seeing a variety of new disease risks. The establishment of the One Health Oversight Committee is a positive development in helping us manage emerging health threats. My department’s participation in this initiative, led by co-chair Barry Quinlan, recognises that our health and wellbeing are inextricably linked to our environment.
“By facilitating collaboration among stakeholders, the Committee will enhance public health intelligence and improve evidence for decision-making. I look forward to building on our current interdepartmental and inter-agency co-operation on this important issue.”
The establishment of the One Health Oversight Committee builds on the successful approach to the implementation of Ireland’s Second One Health National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (iNAP2) and the collaborative efforts during COVID-19.