The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 17 May, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 Jan, 2024 to 30 Apr, 2024

Specific Details Ash Dieback

Intended results To urge the Government to introduce a new scheme to properly support and compensate those farmers affected by Ash Dieback as per the recommendations of the Ash Dieback report established by the Minister of State, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. To highlight that the findings of the report are in line with a comprehensive submission made by IFA to the review group. To emphasise that the new scheme to be introduced by the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine must be introduced without delay as per the report published in September 2023 which stated that ash dieback should be treated like a national emergency and that speed and urgency were of the essence - to realise that the value of the trees, restore trust and confidence and to reduce the risks associated with large numbers of dead and dying trees in the landscape. To meet with the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to seek his support in ensuring that the scheme is put in place without delay. To welcome the payment of €5,000 per hectare as a first step in addressing the financial loss that farmers have faced due to this disease. To show concern that the clearance grant of €2,000 per hectare and afforestation grants are not sufficient to cover the costs of re-establishing some of these forests, particularly older ones. To emphasise that there must be flexibility within the scheme, that all options need to be considered, including review of clearance costs, the removal of replanting obligation, natural regeneration etc. To meet with the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to discuss the serious issues associated with Ash Dieback in Ireland and to seek enough support to assist farmers to deal with the problem on their land. To meet with the Taoiseach Simon Harris to discuss the serious nature of Ash Dieback and to emphasise the need for sufficient grant aid for farmers to deal with the problem on their land.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Alice Doyle IFA Deputy President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Jason Fleming IFA Farm Forestry Chair, Joe Kelly IFA Regional 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.

Email (2-5)

Meeting (2-5)

Informal communication (2-5)

Social Media (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.

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

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

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Johnny Mythen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Leo Varadkar Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan Senator (Seanad)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

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

Michael Collins Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Lowry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Paul Savage Assistant Secretary (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

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

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Amii McKeever Adviser to Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Brendan Gleeson Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Jack O'Donnell Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Simon Harris An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)