The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 13 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Environment

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details IFA Budget 2027 Submission - Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES)

Intended results To highlight that farmers are fully committed to the enhancement of the environment along with maintaining the economic vibrancy and amenity value of the countryside and rural Ireland. This is demonstrated by the phenomenal uptake and actions taken by farmers in the beleaguered Agri Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and the fact that 97% of BISS applicants also committed to undertake voluntary eco-scheme actions. IFA Propose that All farmers seeking to participate in an agri-environmental scheme must be accommodated. Farmers (most especially young farmers/new entrants) cannot be left without an agri-environmental scheme for the remaining term of the existing CAP programme. IFA propose There are a number of short-term changes required of the current ACRES scheme - All outstanding payments should be issued to farmers as a matter of priority - The ‘Landscape Bonus Payment' should be issued by way of a lump-sum payment end 2026 - The ceiling of €7,000 for results-based payments must be lifted to better recognize the exceptional scale and quality (biodiversity) on farm holdings where applicable. - There needs to be simpler, clearer communication as to payment receipts so that the farmer knows what they are being paid for, and also how much budget they have remaining toward possible Non-Productive Investments/Landscape Actions. - Greater direct and ongoing communication involving farmers and ACRES CP Teams is required, with more flexibility and responsibility afforded to ACRES CP Teams to streamline existing processes and funding to farmers. - Finally, farmers invested in ACRES need reassurance now as to what happens when their current contract ends. Consideration should be given to priority access and ‘loyalty bonus' payments in future Agri-Environmental schemes. - Maximum flexibility must be afforded, and no penalty applied, to farmers who, because of supply constraints nationally and/or weather challenges, are unable to fulfil contracted scheme requirements – e.g. native hedging; trees, fencing etc. Planting requirements should span the lifetime of the scheme to allow national suppliers build necessary native stocks rather importing plants and expose native species to greater risk of disease.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Alice Doyle IFA Deputy President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Robert Malone 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

Mass communications

Letter All TDs

Submission All TDs

Letter All Senators

Submission All Senators

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (11-20)

Meeting (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.

Dee Ryan Senator (Seanad)

Deirdre Gillane Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Holly Cairns TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Jack O'Donnell Special Advisor to the Tanaiste (Department of Finance)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister (Department of Health)

Jennifer Whitmore TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Clendennen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Nicole Ryan Senator (Seanad)

Nikki Bradley Senator (Seanad)

Noel O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Pat the Cope Gallagher TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Robbie Gallagher Senator (Seanad)

Rose Conway-Walsh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)