Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
EU Affairs
Period
1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026
Specific Details
Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) Discussion at General Affairs Council (GAC)
Intended results
To emphasise the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the General Affairs Council (GAC) discussions.
To stress that the European Commission's proposals in July 2025 on the Multiannual Financial Framework are hugely concerning for IFA.
To highlight that the proposed €293.7bn ringfenced for for CAP is a drastic cut in both real and nominal terms to the current CAP 2023-2027 budget (and that's assuming forecast Member State contributions materialise).
For Ireland it's a potential cut of c.€1.8bn (-24%) in the next CAP - a direct hit to the economic viability of farms across Ireland (note 73% of average farm income was derived from direct payments in 2023-2024); generational renewal, essential environmental schemes and rural development measures.
That a minimum ringfenced CAP budget of €500bn is needed to account for inflation and better manage current and future farming challenges. Farmers cannot be expected to do more with less. We have noted the European Commission's proposals with regard the 10% rural expenditure target and frontloading medium term review funds to 2028 announced November 2025 and January 2026 respectively
These amounts need to be ringfenced and added to the current €293.7bn ringfenced for CAP, with maximum funding secured also within the European Competitiveness Fund and elsewhere for similarly aligned priorities. Maximum national co-financing will also be required to bridge any deficits.
That there is arguably no policy more important to rural Ireland than the CAP and because of this, it should be funded appropriately. As discussions gather pace on the 2028-2034 MFF, farmers need your support for an increased, dedicated, inflation adjusted CAP that is in line with the obligations of the EU treaties.
That all regulations relating to agriculture, farmers and rural development, currently within the National Regional & Partnership(NRP) Regulation, should be transferred to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Regulation.
To emphasise that a minimum ringfenced CAP budget of €500bn is needed to account for inflation and better manage current and future farming challenges.
To propose that all active farmers should be supported in the next CAP, with 'agricultural activity' the decisive criterion; not age; means; farm type/size; full/part-time status.
To oppose the introduction of the 'Do No Significant Harm' DNSH Principle to CAP interventions.
To stress that CAP cannot be the funding mechanism for environmental action. Farmers need financial certainty and clarity on agricultural spending commitments.
To advocate for the addition of the 10% rural target and midterm review amounts to the ringfenced CAP allocation.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President
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.
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.
Daniel Griffin
Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)
Deirdre Gillane
Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)
Diarmuid Lynch
Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)
Micheál Martin
An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)
Thomas Byrne
Minister of State (Department of the Taoiseach)