The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 Jan, 2022

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Sep, 2021 to 31 Dec, 2021

Specific Details National Walks Scheme

Intended results To welcome the announcement by Minister Heather Humphreys that 31 new walking trails will be added to the National Walks Scheme. To acknowledge the funding for the new Rural Recreation Officers also announced. That the additional trails will include 400 extra farmers, increasing the number to 2,400 nationally. To seek the allocation of more funding in Budget 2022 to continue to expand this scheme to 150 trails, and to increase the labour rate for farmers who maintain the walks. This increase must apply to both existing and new participants, including farmers in the middle of their current contracts. To welcome the appointment of up to eight new Rural Recreation Officer posts. These must be filled without delay to ensure staff are in place to work with farmers and landowners on the new trails. On the National Indemnification Scheme, to welcome the launch of pilot insurance legislation to cover landowners in the event of an accident. The pilot covers two Mountain Access Project areas - Ben Sleibhe in Co Galway and the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry. That this pilot must be rolled out nationally to ensure that farmers and landowners are safeguarded against any claim that may arise.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Flor McCarthy IFA National Hill Farming Chairman

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.

Email (1)

Social Media (1)

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 Browne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Luke "Ming" Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Heather Humphreys Minister (Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht)