Ireland’s approach to protecting people, animals and the environment is being coordinated through the One Health Oversight Committee (OHOC), a cross-government and interagency group focused on shared health risks. New committee information published on gov.ie outlines its role, terms of reference, meeting agendas and available reports.
One Health Ireland: What the OHOC does
The One Health Oversight Committee brings together relevant public bodies across the island of Ireland. Its purpose is to advise the Government and departments on policy and strategic direction relating to active and emerging threats.
The committee’s work recognises that risks do not exist in isolation. A disease outbreak, environmental hazard or animal-health issue can have consequences for public health, agriculture and ecosystems. The One Health model encourages agencies to assess these connections collectively rather than treating each issue separately.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, OHOC provides advice on best practice concerning threats that may affect:
- Human health
- Animal health
- Environmental health
Government departments and agencies involved in public health planning
The committee’s cross-sector approach is relevant to organisations involved in Ireland’s health, food, environmental and emergency planning systems. These include the Health Service Executive (HSE), the Department of Health, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and other public authorities.
Information on gov.ie also supports wider coordination across areas such as Climate Action, Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Transport and Rural and Community Development. Agencies including the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), the Marine Institute and Teagasc may have important roles where risks span multiple sectors.
Why a One Health approach matters
A joined-up framework can help decision-makers identify links between animal disease, environmental change, food safety and human health. It also provides a basis for cooperation between government departments, regulators, scientific bodies and operational services.
OHOC terms of reference, agendas and reports
The publication, dated 29 May 2026 and updated on 1 October 2026, includes the committee’s terms of reference along with meeting documentation. Listed agendas cover meetings from August 2023 through September 2026, while available minutes record meetings held between August 2023 and January 2026.
The documents give readers access to the committee’s formal record and provide greater transparency around its ongoing work. They also show that the group has maintained a schedule of meetings addressing One Health governance and coordination.
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What the publication means for the public
The OHOC material is not a public health alert or a new regulation. Instead, it explains how Ireland organises expert advice and interagency cooperation around risks that may affect people, animals and the natural environment.
For members of the public, the publication offers a central reference point for understanding the One Health structure and finding committee records. It also demonstrates the importance of evidence-based cooperation when threats cross traditional departmental boundaries.
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Key takeaway
The One Health Oversight Committee provides an all-island, cross-government framework for considering human, animal and environmental health together. By publishing its terms of reference, agendas and meeting reports on gov.ie, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine gives the public a clearer view of how national health-risk planning is coordinated.
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gov.ie
