LIMERICK County TD Niall Collins has been appointed by An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture.
Minister Collins had previously served in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration since January 2025 as Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice.
Following the appointment, he said: “I’m delighted to be appointed by An Taoiseach as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture.
“I want to recognise my ministerial colleagues, officials and stakeholders I worked with in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for their excellent work since my appointment in this Government, and in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science in the previous Government.
“As a public representative for a rural constituency in the heart of the Golden Vale with over 5,000 farm families, I look forward to building on the work done already in the Department of Agriculture and to getting stuck into my new brief, which covers areas of significant importance that go right to the heart of rural Ireland.”
During Minister Collins’ service in the Department of Justice, he played an instrumental role in facilitating a visit to Limerick by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan.
The Limerick Minister also facilitated visits to Limerick by the Garda Commissioner, Justin Kelly and the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation with responsibility for the Office of Public Works, Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran TD.
These visits included visits and briefings at the site of the new Garda District Headquarters in Newcastle West, which is on track to be handed to An Garda SÃochána in October 2026.
During Minister Collins’ service in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, the Limerick Garda Division was allocated almost 60 new GardaÃ, with Probationer GardaÃÂ appointed to Limerick City stations and experienced GardaÃÂ being transferred to rural Limerick.
Plans for a new Garda Station in Castletroy also advanced during this period, with funding allocated for its design and planning in the Department of Justice’s 2026 Capital Budget.
Prior to serving in the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Minister Collins served as Minister of State in the Department of Further and Higher Education, where he played a critical role in the granting of Technological University (TU) status to Limerick Institute of Technology, which has been hugely important for the Mid-West.
Following Government approval, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said:”Minister Collins now takes on responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Niall will bring great experience to a wide-ranging role that impacts on economic development, climate, forestry and food production.
“As Ireland prepares to take on the EU Presidency this summer, this Government is determined to continue to deliver on our Programme for Government commitments, on the economy, housing, infrastructure, disability and public services.
“I have every confidence that Ministers Collins will help us achieve those goals …”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “I look forward to working collaboratively with the new Minister of State Niall Collins in his new role in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine along with all colleagues across Government to continue to implement the Programme for Government in the time ahead.”
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, welcomed the appointment.
Minister Heydon said: “Forestry and horticulture are hugely important sectors for our economy and for our society and, of course, farm safety rightly permeates all the work we do.
“My Department is committed to developing and maintaining vibrant forestry and horticulture sectors in support of the achievement of our national climate and biodiversity goals and food security, while also addressing the social, environmental and economic needs of communities and the wider rural economy. I look forward to working with Minister Collins as he takes up this challenging but vital brief.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD also welcomed Minister Collins’ appointment.
Minister Grealish said: “I congratulate the new Minister and am keen to support him through my work in the areas of research and development and food promotion, in particular.”
Wishing the new Minister well following his appointment, Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries, Timmy Dooley TD said: “Minister Collins’ previous position as Minister of State at the Department of Justice, and prior to that at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, ensures that he brings invaluable experience to his new position. I am fortunate to know the new Minister well and am delighted to have the opportunity to work alongside him now in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.”