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 Finance

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details IFA Budget 2027 Submission - Hill Farming-Uplands Recreation System

Intended results IFA Propose • Increased budgetary allocations to Uplands Recreation Scheme for added uplands/regions. • Alongside additional potential hours worked, implement a higher payment rate for farmers beyond the standard own-work rate of the Walks Scheme. This increased compensation reflects the additional challenges and ensures that farmers are adequately rewarded for their essential role in maintaining these areas. • Extend the maximum payable work hours per annum under the scheme to 250. This extension acknowledges the extensive labour involved in managing mountain access routes and provides fair compensation for the time and effort farmers invest. • Ensure that farmers and landowners in identified project areas are fully consulted at all stages of development and implementation. This includes initial planning, ongoing development, and final execution. Establish formal consultation processes, such as advisory committees and regular feedback sessions, to integrate their input and address their concerns throughout the project lifecycle.

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)