The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Finance

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details Covid-19 - Market Disruption Support Low-interest Loan Scheme for farmers

Intended results Farmers do not qualify for current Government-backed COVID-19 schemes, with the exception of a limited amount of funding available through Microfinance Ireland. Given the depth of the crisis, it is critically important that financial aid is provided. The Government to urgently put in place a Covid-19 Market Disruption Support Low-interest Loan Scheme which would support farmers involved in primary agriculture / aquaculture production. It is critically important that primary producers can access sufficient funding to cover their operating expenses during this unprecedented crisis. Increased reliance on merchant / co-operative credit is not an option, as many of these businesses are struggling to collect monies owed from farmer and non-farmer debtors. The SBCI must introduce a Government backed guarantee (80%) low-cost interest (max 2.5%) loan scheme, which is accessible to all primary producers across all the farming sectors including aquaculture, forestry and amenity horticulture. • Provide financial support to primary producers who are experiencing cashflow disruption and / or losing revenue due to the impact of COVID 19 virus. • Operate through the main banks, as heretofore with previous SBCI schemes, but also to include other financial institutions such as Credit Unions, An Post and other accredited asset lenders. • Cater for loans up to €250,000 in the form of overdrafts, working capital and term loans in addition to asset finance. • Offer a loan duration of up to 5 years in the case of term loans and asset finance. • Provide for a 12-month moratorium on capital repayments. • Ensure Government covers the interest payment for year 1. • Incentivise accredited lenders to participate in the scheme through the provision of a Government backed guarantee. • The borrower remains liable for the debt. • Potential borrowers should not be denied access to the scheme due to insufficient security arising from reduced commodity prices and or current asset valuations. • The family home cannot be used as security. • Personal guarantees would not be required for loan amounts under €150,000. • As the scheme is 80% Government backed guaranteed, recoveries are capped at 20% of the outstanding balance of the loan facility. • No facility fees to apply. • Minimum loan value of €5,000. An emergency aid package to assist farmers during this embergency crisis (COVID- 19)

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan, IFA President. Jim Mulhall Kilkenny IFA County Chairman, Joe Kelly Regional Executive and Kilkenny Officers. Kevin Comiskey, Vice-Chairman, IFA National Sheep Committee

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.

Letter (1)

Conference Call (1)

Email (6-10)

Social Media (1)

Phone call (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.

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)

Michael Creed Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Philip O'Callaghan Special Adviser (Department of the Taoiseach)

Jonathan Hoare Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Paul Phelan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Malcolm Noonan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Frank Feighan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paddy Burke Senator (Seanad)

Marc MacSharry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring Minister of State (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Edward Brophy Special Advisor (Department of Public Expenditure and Reform)

Pauric McPhillips Special Adviser (Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation)

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)