Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Marine
Period
1 Jan, 2026 to 30 Apr, 2026
Specific Details
Food Vision Seafood Taskforce - to develop a framework of supports and actions to respond to challenges in seafood sector
Intended results
Legislative reform and consolidation - It is now critical that a single piece of legislation is brought forward to implement and underpin appropriate aquaculture policy and bring together all the existing primary, secondary and amended legislation in one single provision Implementation of the Licensing Review Recommendations - Modernisation of the licensing system with 20-year licences, Clear timelines & certainty for licence determinations
The Minister must address the matter to ensure there is a clear timeframe for the completion of appropriate assessments - there must be a clear plan of action to address immediate delays in the aquaculture licensing system
Grant aid eligibility - Aquaculture producers are prevented from access to EMFAF funds and this eligibility criteria must be urgently reviewed
The Minister must establish a sustainability support mechanism to provide liquidity and support for the Aquaculture sector to address biological, ecological, economic and market challenges
Sustainability support scheme - As a result of unforeseen market pressures, increased costs of business and exceptional events
Stock Rejuvenation Scheme - As a result of biological & ecological challenges, biofouling, storm damage, stock losses
Tax relief for succession - there is a need for incentives to encourage the next generation of aquaculture producers into the sector and tax relief measures for succession should be explored.
Income averaging - There should be an equivalent income averaging system for tax liability available to aquaculture producers
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Teresa Morrissey, IFA Aquaculture Policy Executive & Finian O'Sullivan, IFA Aquaculture Chair
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.
Martin Heydon
Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Timmy Dooley
Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Tom Tynan
Adviser to Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Sinead McSherry
Assistant Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)