Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
Environment
Period
1 Jan, 2023 to 30 Apr, 2023
Specific Details
Designated Land - Compensation
Intended results
To highlight the endeavour and efforts of farm families, who manage and upkeep important areas of biodiversity must be recognised. Considerable effort is required to innovate, streamline and improve existing notification processes, which currently are not fit-for purpose, creating significant stress and frustration for farm families seeking to improve and advance on-farm operations. Ultimately, the economic viability and value of farms on designated lands must be protected
To recommend an appropriate compensation scheme, funded independent of CAP, to ensure farmers currently affected by designation are properly compensated for the farming restrictions placed on them and to account for loss of earnings and devaluation of land. Compensation should be permanent and in place for as long as the designation is in place. A ‘no compensation, no designation' policy should apply. Agreements made previously regarding permanent compensation have not been upheld
To emphasise 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 farmland to date has been unacceptable.
To obtain clarity on the key role/responsibility of key stakeholders, as there is considerable confusion amongst farmers. The establishment of a ‘one-stop shop' would be extremely beneficial, minimising unnecessary administrative delays and giving farmers / landowners greater confidence in the system. Applications would be made to ONE body, with other relevant bodies feeding into it. A comprehensive review of existing notifiable actions is also required, with a view of minimising where possible
To acknowledge the reintroduction of the NPWS Farm Plan Scheme as a positive development, however, greater funding is needed to increase awareness and expand the number of farm plans on the scheme, with increased payment rates to reflect the additional costs and burden on farmers whose land is designated.
An Enhanced Farm Plan Scheme must be funded through the National Exchequer and all farmers with designations who apply for the scheme must be catered for. No funding for the scheme has yet been announced for 2023
To suggest that an independent arbitration scheme should be introduced to determine the loss of value or impact on business, with a budget in place to cover arbitration costs.
To emphasise that where a farmer wishes to carry out an independent ecological survey, a budget from the national exchequer must be in place to cover the costs associated with designation compliance and administration costs. This was previously agreed in 1997.
Proper engagement and appropriate support must be given to farmers whose income and property values are diminished because of designations. The economic interests and security of farmers on designated land throughout the country are currently being undermined due to the severe restrictions imposed on them, compounded by less than adequate administrative and governance systems.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Tim Cullinan IFA President, Pat Murphy IFA SAC Project Team 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
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.
Malcolm Noonan
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
Sean Canney
Minister of State (Department of Environment, Climate and Communications)
Jackie Cahill
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)