The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Heritage

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Hen Harrier Programme

Intended results To invite the Minister for Rural and Community Development, and relevant National Park & Wildlife Service representatives, to attend a meeting of the IFA Special Area's of Conservation (SAC) Project Team on the farm of Mr. Pat Hennessy, Borris-In-Ossory, Co. Laois, to witness first-hand the positive conservative efforts of farmers within the Slieve Bloom region to preserve the Hen Harrier species. To highlight that, nationally, the numbers of Hen Harrier regrettably continue to decline. However, as noted within the Threat Response Plan, the numbers within the Slieve Blooms Special Protected Area (SPA) have increased in recent times, thanks in part to the significant investment and commitment of farmers involved in the Hen Harrier Programme. To propose that, in order to obtain the results achieved in the Slieve Bloom Special Protected Area (SPA) nationally, the following is required; - A properly funded, dedicated Hen Harrier scheme, with a realistic timeframe - Outside factors, such as predators and the risk of disturbance of recreational users in the outdoors, needs further consideration and specific actions included within the Threat Response Plan - Any further designations of farm land and/or further restrictions on existing designated lands is unacceptable and must not occur - Farmers must be fully consulted on the implementation of the Threat Response Plan - Forest management practices, including afforestation, are wholly compatible with hen harrier conservation when managed at a landscape level.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Frank Brady IFA SAC Project Team Chair, Jason Fleming IFA Forestry Chair, Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Rachel Moloney IFA Policy Executive

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Email (2-5)

Informal communication (2-5)

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Johnny Mythen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Malcolm Noonan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Hannah Hamilton Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)