The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 May, 2018

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Banking and Financial Institutions

Period 1 Jan, 2018 to 30 Apr, 2018

Specific Details Vulture Funds

Intended results To create an awareness against vulture funds who are trying to force farm families to sell their farms to settle debts. To make it known that IFA would oppose any forced sale of farms by vulture funds where the farmer is willing to implement a credible solution. That debt restructuring should be based on the repayment capacity. That farmers in these situations, who are committed to implementing a credible solution, are protected from the vulture funds. That IFA's campaign principles are know as follows - Saying clearly to potential buyers that they should not bid on land forcibly sold by vulture funds without the permission of the farmer who is willing to commit to a repayment plan; Solicitors, auctioneers and advertisers will be called on not to engage in forced sale transactions where the farmer is genuinely trying to put a credible repayment plan in place; Continuing to challenge the political system to change our laws to regulate what vulture funds can do, and to protect borrowers. That the Government and the Minister for Finance would regulate these funds which purchase loans. That the Government regulate funds which have already bought loans. In the interim, no sale of loans should go ahead until regulations are put in place. That there would be no forced sale of farming assets, which undermines the viability of the family farm, and where the farmer has meaningful engaged to find a workable solution. Full and final agreement must be reached between the borrower and and loan owner prior to the disposal of any assets. Assets must be sold for their full market value and with proper advertising. No forced collection of debt that is not yet due. Where delays in arriving at a decision are due to the loan owners actions, there can be no interest or penalty accumulated on the outstanding debt in that time period.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Joe Healy - IFA President, Martin Stapleton - IFA Farm Business 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 (2-5)

Letter (1)

Meeting (2-5)

Phone call (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.

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pat Deering TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Charlie McConalogue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie Penrose TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Thomas Pringle TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pádraig MacLochlainn TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Michelle Mulherin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John McGuinness TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael McGrath TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Martin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Pearse Doherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Kieran O'Donnell Senator (Seanad)

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

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Edward Brophy Special Advisor (Department of Finance)