Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025
Specific Details
Planning Exemption Development for Nutrient Storage on Farms
Intended results
To ensure commitment that the government will do everything within its power to secure the retention of the Nitrates Derogation by implementing the Nitrates Derogation Renewal Plan that was published last August.
That a key component of the plan is that the introduction of a new and separate ‘exempted development' threshold for ‘stand-alone' nutrient storage will be provided as part of the review of the planning regulations now that the Planning Act has been passed.
That the planning exemption for stand alone nutrient storage is introduced as a matter of urgency to enable farmers to make the necessary investment to improve nutrient storage capacity and to continue in their efforts to mitigate agriculture pressure on water quality.
To meet with Ministers to discuss the timeline for the introduction of planning development threshold exemption.
To highlight that delaying the exemption to be in place to coincide with Tranche 9 of the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS), which is due to open on September 6th and close on December 5th, means that farmers who want to apply for TAMS now or begin their work this summer will not be able to avail of any planning exemption.
That, with a Cabinet Committee set up to focus on water quality, this is one action the Government could implement to make a real difference and help to further support the retention of our nitrates derogation. More storage capacity would give farmers more flexibility on when to apply their nutrients to ensure maximum uptake by the growing grass.
That it is vital that this is an absolute priority for the Government to get this exemption in place and ensure TAMS approvals are expediated to allow works to commence.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, John Murphy IFA Environment Chair, Martin McElearney IFA Dairy Chair, Liam Delaney IFA Environment Management Committee Member, Geraldine O'Sullivan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Shane Whelan IFA Senior 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.
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 Cassidy
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Ciara Phelan
Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)
John Cummins
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
Martin Heydon
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)