Minister of State Pippa Hackett

My vision for Laois-Offaly

I love living in the Midlands – it has so much to offer. I envisage a more diverse environment to live in: vibrant towns and villages, beautiful countryside and a range of facilities designed to engage the whole community.

What I stand for

I stand for fairness and doing the right thing. I’m tired of complacency and the “it’ll be grand” attitude. I like to lead by example and would not expect anyone to do something I have not done myself. I would like to be able to inspire others to do the best they can for themselves, their families, their communities and for the environment in which we all share and live.

My priorities

My priorities for Laois and Offaly are centred on community. I see the huge value of having a vibrant community to live and work in, to raise families, to exercise, to socialise and to enjoy life.

Vibrant towns & villages: We have many lovely towns and villages, but some are in great need of renewal and revitalisation.
Natural environment and heritage: There is much potential in the Midlands to improve our biodiversity, water and other natural resources, and our communities are central to this.
Farmers and farmland: It is important to support and protect farmers – to have proper consultation and support for public services, e.g. the Shannon Pipeline Project and Greenways. Develop environmental projects with local farmers, specific to this area.
Opportunities for physical activity: I see the huge value physical activity and exercise has in people’s lives. Simple and effective initiatives can improve this; I would love to see a publicly available running track in both Laois and Offaly.
Animal Welfare: Often overlooked, animal welfare is a huge community issue. There is much potential for welfare projects (local authority, schools or community based) which deal with many of these issues, being piloted here in Laois and Offaly.

My experience

I hold a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Essex, a postgraduate diploma from University College Dublin, and a PhD from the University of Limerick. I took leave from academic research and lecturing to raise my family. I live on a mixed organic farm (suckler cows, sheep, hens and horses) with my husband Mark and four young children, near Geashill in Co Offaly, close to the Laois border. I’m activity involved in many community-based and schools projects in both counties. These roles include youth club secretary and leader, local newsletter editor, Mountlucas parkrun director, and board member of local sports committees.

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My vision for Laois-Offaly

What I stand for

My priorities

My experience

Latest activities

EPA REPORT – Ministers say Greens in government can turn crisis around

Over €100m in funding sets Midlands on road to Just Transition

Green motion in the Seanad calls for action on the Programme for Government’s biodiversity commitments

Oireachtas briefing: Minister acknowledges the importance of sport, culture and tourism to well-being and mental health

Minister of State Senator Pippa Hackett, on early action on forestry commitments

Meet your new Green Ministerial Team

Greens welcome decision by BNM to end peat extraction and begin bog rehabilitation

Irish Agriculture needs to embrace and work with EU’s Green Deal strategies

Recent cold weather effects on apple crops show need for climate resilient Agri-Food policies

Greens call for tougher law enforcement and effective supports against wildlife crime

Greater financial supports needed for farm families

Greens reiterate call for new model of forestry as we move forward

Greens call for Covid testing of workforces at all food processing plants

Green Party News

Bord na Móna must act to protect all its workers and ensure a Just Transition – Greens

Allotments and Farmers’ Markets need to be designated as essential services

Greens call on Minister Harris to recognise allotments as essential food outlets

Green Party nominees Pippa Hackett and Pauline O’Reilly elected to the Seanad

Support farmers to provide the food we need during this crisis – Greens

Pauline O’Reilly, Pippa Hackett, and Saoirse McHugh are Green Party nominees for the Seanad

Trees, rewetting bogs, and better land management are needed to prevent flooding – Greens

Supporting livelihoods, improving services, building community: the Green Party’s ten-year plan for rural Ireland

Greens say Government must be held to account for crisis in beef farming

Greens call for review of organic farming scheme applications

Just Transition needs to be more than just a pay-out it needs to provide a future for communities – Greens

Greens welcome the election of Pippa Hackett to the Seanad

Pet owners should be extra cautious during Halloween – Greens

The Government’s Climate strategy is not working and has to radically change

Change in Irish forestry is coming as Green Party motion gets cross party support

Minister Madigan needs to keep the ban on netting hares – Greens

Ireland needs strong supports for communities impacted by the move away from fossil fuels – Greens

Green Party launch Cllr Pippa Hackett as candidate for the Seanad by-election

Farmers should take back control of their farming futures – Greens

Reject Mercosur unless Amazon and Irish farmers can be protected – Greens

How we use land is contributing to climate change – we need a National Land Use Plan: Greens

The Beef Plan Movement’s protests are well into their second week – it’s time Minister Creed got involved: Greens

If the Minister understands that nature is in crisis she should repeal the Heritage Act: Greens

EU-Mercosur deal is deeply damaging for the environment and for Irish agriculture: Greens

Greens welcome new ‘Coillte Nature’ initiative; call for scheme to be extended

Climate Action Plan offers little to address problems facing agriculture – Greens

Live export is unethical and in its current form needs to stop: Greens

Irish Rail stop the destruction of wildlife during breeding season: Greens

Time to put our farmers first, not Big Agri

Scientific advice to reduce meat consumption must come as a wake-up call for Government: Greens

Greens Welcome Re-Opening of Organic Farming Scheme

Greens Seeking ‘Just Transition’ to a Climate-Friendly Economy

Keep Your Pets Safe This Halloween Night

Maintain Jobs and Kickstart the Midlands Energy Transition

Irish Agriculture Faces a Mammoth Task

Green Party’s Hackett warns of anaerobic pitfalls

Green Party supports ‘Stop Live Export!’ protest

Sainsburys – Asda merger ‘likely to have a serious knock-on effect on Irish agriculture’

Greens call on Government to support fodder-strapped farmers

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