The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details National Ploughing Championships 2025

Intended results To highlight ongoing challenges facing farmers especially within the tillage sector. To engage with Government Ministers and TDs to discuss how some of these issues could be addressed in next month's budget. To highlight the importance of the retention of the Nitrates Derogation to Irish farmers. To emphasise the significant work that has been done in improving water quality and the strong focus on delivering further improvements. To stress how imperative it is to convey the scale of this work to the EU Commission ahead of their decision. To impress on the Minister the importance of continuing to build alliances with others who remain opposed to the Mercosur Trade Deal. That the Commission 'safeguards' do not provide any assurance to the farmers of Ireland. Production standards in Brazil do not meet the standards that apply to the EU. To highlight the cost of doing business. To discuss the retention of tax reliefs due to expire in 2025. To highlight Generational Renewal and what steps can be put in place to ensure that farms are there for generations to come. To ensure viability, sustainability and innovation by addressing challenges such as land access, finance and education to keep the sector vibrant.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Robert Malone IFA Senior Policy Executive, Áine O'Connell 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

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Event / Reception (1)

Informal communication (21-30)

Social Media (21-30)

Email (6-10)

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.

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Alan Dillon Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Barry Cassidy Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Brennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Purcell Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

Carol Nolan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Conor D McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Dara Calleary Minister (Department of Social Protection)

Fiona O'Loughlin Senator (Seanad)

Helen McEntee Minister (Department of Education)

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

Jackie Healy-Rae Special Advisor (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

James Browne Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Jim O'Callaghan Minister (Department of Justice)

Jim O'Toole Chief Executive Officer (Bord Bia)

Joe Flaherty Senator (Seanad)

Joe Healy Chairperson (An Rialálaí Agraibhia - Agri Food Regulator)

John Clendennen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Leahy Councillor (Offaly County Council)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kathleen Funchion TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kevin 'Boxer' Moran Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Liam Herlihy Chairperson (Teagasc)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Malcolm Byrne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Maria Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Martin Heydon Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mary Butler Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Healy-Rae Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Michael Moynihan Minister of State (Department of Education)

Micheál Martin An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Natasha Newsome Drennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Nessa Cosgrove Senator (Seanad)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Paul Clarkson Government Press Secretary (Department of the Taoiseach)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peadar Tóibín TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Horgan Councillor (Cork City Council)

Prof. Frank O'Mara Director (Teagasc)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Robert O'Donoghue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Sean Canney Minister of State (Department of Transport)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Suzanne Coogan Press Adviser (Department of Justice)

Timmy Dooley Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Tom Tynan Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

William Aird TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Síona Cahill Special Adviser (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)