Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for Forestry, Ms Mary Wallace T.D., with Mr Noel Ahern T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for OPW, today officially opened a new Government office in Navan.

The Minister said she was particularly pleased that the staff in her Department and the Department's clients - the agricultural community of Co Meath will enjoy an appropriate working environment with conditions in which they can together conduct their business effectively and confidentially. She stated that staff in her Department’s local offices is very often the first point of contact for farmers and these staff provide a vital link from the Department to the local agricultural community.

Minister Wallace pointed out that these last few years have brought about significant change, with the introduction of a Single Farm Payment and the ongoing and increasing reliance on IT. She also praised the staff that have embraced those changes and ensured a smooth transition for their clients.

The Minister said she was very proud to officially open the new Navan offices and said it was an important day for the farming community of Co. Meath and the staff of the Department.

---