The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 21 May, 2021

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 Jan, 2021 to 30 Apr, 2021

Specific Details Solar Energy/Microgeneration Support Scheme

Intended results That the commitment in Programme for Government Our Shared Future which recognises the potential for microgeneration, solar, anaerobic digestion and other potential farm scale renewables is backed up by substantial initiatives by the Government to encourage farmers to participate in what it describes as a ‘revolution in renewables'.. That IFA Proposals in this area are taken on board as follows: The provision of a Capital Grant in the order of 50%-60% which is ring fenced from existing farm supports and essentially brings new capital to a farm solar proposition. There needs to be flexible criteria around this grant to ensure participation of all farmers regardless of the sector, size or geographic location. Supports need to be tailored to take account of the west/east and north/south divide for farmers, ensuring a level playing field regardless of farm size, farm location or farm sector Development of a Feed in Tariff paid on the metered output of a solar installation and based on detailed financial modelling through the collection of funds from the carbon tax and the PS0 (Public Service Obligation) Levy. Favourable Tax treatment to promote uptake on renewable technology for farm communities. Revenue generated from renewable energy should be exempt from income tax for an extended period, as is the case with forestry (Section 232 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997). Finance - Government need to provide access to low/ no interest finance to farmers and farm communities to encourage investment by the sector. Under the TAMS (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme), there needs to be a separate investment limit for solar panels, similar to LESS (Low Emission Slurry Spreading Equipment Scheme) and the ceiling for LESS needs to increase. That the scope of the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) needs to be widened. The net payback period for on-farm installations needs to be reduced to 5-6 years, while the 70% self-consumption requirement is too restrictive. The limited focus of the proposed scheme on domestic installations is a missed opportunity to support farmers and rural communities to transition to renewable energy. Seek meeting to discuss this issue.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Cullinan, IFA President, Elaine Farrell IFA Oireachtas Executive & Paul O'Brien IFA Environmental 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)

Submission (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.

Michael Lowry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

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)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Eamon Ryan Minister (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)