Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Energy and Natural Resources
Period
1 May, 2022 to 31 Aug, 2022
Specific Details
Rooftop Solar
Intended results
To make a presentation - IFA Rooftop Solar to the Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Martin Heydon.
. IFA is looking at commercial opportunities for farmers in the renewables area. On the basis that any commercial offer must be available to all farmers regardless of size or location, it was agreed to look more closely at a small scale rooftop Solar proposition in the first instance
. A phase one feasibility study was sanctioned by the IFA Member Services Board. The preliminary results of the feasibility study were presented to the Board, the Environment Committee and National Council in June and July 2021 indicating that there is an opportunity for farmers
. However there will be significant policy changes required from both the Government and the Energy Regulator in order for any proposition to make financial sense
. The key requirement is that a 60% grant is needed to ensure the proposition makes financial sense
. IFA will act as an aggregator in a centralised function to manage the proposition along with a utility partner – BGE. This centralised entity will manage all aspects of the business and act as a trusted adviser for farmers
. It is proposed to be a full service proposition to farmers, survey, design, installation, grant application, billing, trading and maintenance
. Significant detailed backup, supported by KPMG to underpin the request for a 60% Grant, previously supplied
. It was agreed to move ahead with a pilot programme
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Tim Cullinan IFA President, Martin Stapleton IFA National Treasurer/Returning Officer, James Kelly IFA Director of Organisation, Geraldine O'Sullivan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Paul O'Brien IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chair, Peter Clarke IFA Head of Projects.
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.
Informal communication (2-5)
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 Heydon
Minister of State (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Barry Cassidy
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)