The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Local Government

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details Local Government Elections 2024

Intended results To meet with the Local Election candidates and impress on them the difficulties facing Irish farmers and how they are required to stand strong and protect and promote on behalf of all farmers. To seek better recognition of the positive contribution farmers make to society. To propose a fair income and standard of living for current and future farming generations. Emphasise that farmers need to farm and produce food and not be regulated out of existence. Roadside Ash Dieback scheme is required urgently; To highlight that a Roadside Ash dieback Scheme is required urgently. Diseased ash trees along public roads are posing a significant risk to all road users. A financial package is needed to allow Local Authorities to provide traffic management during felling and grants to support farmers to hire qualified professional to safely fell the trees. Unfair Taxes (Residential Zoned Land Tax RZLT), water charges and rates must be resisted; To emphasise that farmers are private landowners not speculators. Active farmland must be exempt from the Residential Zoned Land Tax (RZLT). Farmers looking to dezone land must be accommodated without disadvantage. To highlight that farmers, especially those with multiple connections, will be hit hard by increased water charges. Existing transitional arrangements should continue, or charges linked to a Water Point Reference Number, not an individual connection. To insist that all exemptions applying to farm buildings and the 'relevant property not rateable' list must be retained. Investment in Rural Services and Infrastructure; To highlight that in order to better attract and retain our youth and new families into rural areas, there needs to be real investment in rural services and infrastructure, Traditional services are closing (banks, post offices, GP's, schools) and the road network is in complete disrepair. Investment is required in these services alongside the rollout of broadband and phone coverage to stall and reverse the trend and risk of rural de-population. A faster, more streamline planning process is required for rural residential dwellings and on-farm investments that seek to enhance slurry storage; improve animal welfare and /or environmental conditions. Serial objectors that are not from the local area should not have the opportunity to launch objections on such investments. Local Authority Farmers Charter of Rights; To highlight that the Local Authority Farmers Charter of Rights is lacking but much needed; Increased Local Authority inspections are on the cards, yet the protections afforded to farmers within the Farmers Charter of Rights does not extend to Local Authorities inspections or actions. To highlight that this must be addressed and a Local Authority Farmers Charter of Rights designed to better ensure farmers, and Local Authority staff, are treated fairly, with respect, dignity, professionalism and efficiency at all times.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Alice Doyle IFA Deputy President, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Paul O'Brien IFA South Leinster Regional Chair, Frank Brady Ulster/North Leinster Regional Chair, Conor O'Leary IFA Munster Regional Chair, Brendan Golden ,Connacht Regional Chair,

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

Mass communications

Letter All Senators

Submission All Senators

Letter All TDs

Submission All TDs

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Meeting (2-5)

Letter (1)

Submission (1)

Social Media (11-20)

Email (2-5)

Informal communication (11-20)

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.

Adrienne Wallace Councillor (Carlow County Council)

Anne Marie Ford Councillor (Louth County council)

Bernie Conlon Councillor (Louth County council)

Ciarán Fisher Councillor (Louth County council)

Daniel Butler Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)

Declan Power Councillor (Louth County council)

Dolores Minogue Councillor (Louth County council)

Ejiro O'Hare Stratton Councillor (Louth County council)

Eric Donovan Councillor (Louth County council)

Fiona MhicConchoille Councillor (Louth County council)

James Byrne Councillor (Louth County council)

Jim Tenanty Councillor (Louth County council)

Joanna Byrne Councillor (Louth County council)

John Reilly Councillor (Louth County council)

John Sheridan Councillor (Louth County council)

Kevin Callan Councillor (Louth County council)

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

Michelle Hall Councillor (Louth County council)

Paddy McQuillan Councillor (Louth County council)

Paula Butterly Councillor (Louth County council)

Pearse McGeough Councillor (Louth County council)

Pio Martin Smith Councillor (Louth County council)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Sean Kelly Councillor (Louth County council)

Micheál Carrigy Senator (Seanad)

Paul Ross Councillor (Longford County Council)

Mick Cahill Councillor (Longford County Council)

Jackie Cahill TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Collins TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Flaherty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Kehoe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Claire Kerrane TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Johnny Mythen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Tim Lombard Senator (Seanad)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Denis O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Chris MacManus MEP (European Parliament)

Ciarán Cuffe MEP (European Parliament)

Clare Daly MEP (European Parliament)

Colm Markey MEP (European Parliament)

Deirdre Clune MEP (European Parliament)

Frances Fitzgerald MEP (European Parliament)

Grace O'Sullivan MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Mick Wallace MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)