Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
Finance
Period
1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025
Specific Details
Designated Area Payments
Intended results
To propose an appropriate compensation scheme, funded independently of CAP, is required to ensure farmers currently affected by designation are adequately compensated for the farming restrictions placed on them and to account for loss of earnings and land devaluation. Compensation should be permanent as long as the designation is in place. A ‘no compensation, no designation' policy should apply.
IFA will oppose any further designations on farmland until current designations have been adequately compensated for, and existing system inefficiencies have been redressed.
To propose that no further restrictions should apply to lands currently designated. Instead, increased support (advisory, financial, etc) should be provided and agricultural activity allowed to continue.
To propose that legislative provisions should be introduced to denote the voluntary nature of NRL interventions, with robust protective measures designed and in place to protect the security value and economic interests of adjoining landowners.
To propose that meaningful consultation and engagement with farmers is required prior to the imposition of any designation, with a mechanism provided for farmers wishing to appeal the proposed designation. The abrupt imposition, without any meaningful Government/stakeholder engagement, of designations on farm land to date has been unacceptable.
To propose that, in consultation with IFA, a full review of the internal operating dynamics surrounding designations, compensation and applications for ARC's is required because the existing system is not fit for purpose.
To propose that, in consultation with IFA, and following the original Farm Plan scheme construct, an independent body should be set up or engaged concerning any review/revised Farm Plan Scheme costings and/or payments.
To propose that the Farm Plan scheme should operate alongside other agri-environmental schemes, better profiled, and additional funding allocated to offer bespoke management plans and pay all farmers where, due to designation of land, restrictions are imposed on farming and lands significantly devalued.
To propose that a new 'Farming for Habitat and Farming for Species' payment needs to be introduced to maximise environmental gain and compensate farmers who suffer a loss in income when EIP projects such as the Hen Harrier, Pearl Mussel, and Burren Schemes end. Hill / SAC areas should also be eligible for this payment.
To propose that eligible area for Disadvantaged Area Payments should revert to the previous levels.
To propose that greater supports should be provided toward the control of invasive species, including amongst others, flexibilities for Organic farmers to be able to utilise, on a targeted and limited basis in compliance with dedicated agreed management plans, select herbicides / pesticides.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Frank Brady IFA SAC Project Team Chair, John Curran IFA Rural Development Chair, Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Rachel Moloney IFA 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.
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.
Brian Brennan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Brian Purcell
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)
Christopher O'Sullivan
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
Emer Higgins
Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)
Helen McEntee
Minister (Department of Education)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Minister (Department of Health)
Malcolm Byrne
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Martin Heydon
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Michael Healy-Rae
Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Michael Moynihan
Minister of State (Department of Education)
Noel Grealish
Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Paschal Donohoe
Minister (Department of Finance)
Peter Burke
Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)
Sean Canney
Minister of State (Department of Transport)
James Browne
Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)