The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 20 Sep, 2024

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Energy and Natural Resources

Period 1 May, 2024 to 31 Aug, 2024

Specific Details Investment in Renewable Energy - Renewable Energy Microgeneration Support

Intended results To propose the establishment of 50% capital grants for farmers to invest in microgeneration. This will require a new financial support programme for micro generation with a separate structure and set of rules. This money should come from outside of CAP Pillar II funds. This programme should apply to all usage on farms, including the farm residence, and should not be capped at 11KW. To propose the delivery of a meaningful ‘Feed in Tariff' with no limits on export volume to grid. To propose the amendment of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) to facilitate small-scale projects and redefine ‘communities' in RESS, including virtual farming communities and partners. To propose the removal or reduction of network charges for inter-farming community trading. To propose the removal of planning impediments for microgeneration projects.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Thomas Short IFA Renewables Project Team Chair, Niamh Brennan IFA Senior 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

Mass communications

Letter All Senators

Submission All Senators

Letter All TDs

Submission All TDs

Email All Councillors

Submission All Councillors

Letter All MEPs

Submission All MEPs

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Submission (1)

Email (2-5)

Informal communication (2-5)

Meeting (6-10)

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.

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Finance)

Charlie McConalogue Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)

Simon Harris An Taoiseach (Department of the Taoiseach)

Micheál Martin Tánaiste and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Fiona O'Connor Special Adviser (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Sam Griffin Adviser to Minister (Department of Finance)

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

Colm Burke Minister of State (Department of Health)

Helen McEntee Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)

James Browne Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Darragh O'Brien Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Brendan Smith TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Anne Rabbitte Minister of State (Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth)

Joe O'Brien Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)

Michael Ring TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Malcolm Noonan Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Seán Canney TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Ciaran Cannon TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Catherine Connolly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Noel Grealish TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Hildegarde Naughton Government Chief Whip and Minister (Department of the Taoiseach)

Éamon Ó Cuív TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Seán Kyne Senator (Seanad)

Ollie Crowe Senator (Seanad)

Pauline O'Reilly Senator (Seanad)

Cathal Crowe TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Elena Secas Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)

Martina Kinane Councillor (Galway County Council)

Alan Tobin Councillor (Meath County Council)

Annemarie "Shiner" Ryan Councillor (Tipperary County Council)

Joy Beard Councillor (Donegal County Council)

Lumi Panaite Fahey Councillor (Kildare County Council)

Jackie Healy-Rae Councillor (Kerry County Council)

William Durkan Councillor (Kildare County Council)

Ciarán Fisher Councillor (Louth County council)

Elisa O'Donovan Councillor (Limerick City and County Council)

John Reilly Councillor (Louth County council)

Sharon Tolan Councillor (Meath County Council)

Frank Staples Councillor (Wexford County Council)

Andrea McKevitt Councillor (Louth County council)

Seamus McGrath Councillor (Cork County Council)

Fintan Phelan Councillor (Carlow County Council)

Geraldine Donohue Councillor (Galway County Council)

Edel Mcsharry Councillor (Sligo County Council)

Malcolm Byrne Senator (Seanad)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Richard O'Donoghue TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Violet Anne Wynne TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Conway Senator (Seanad)

Timmy Dooley Senator (Seanad)

Paddy Burke Senator (Seanad)

Pa Daly TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Willie O'Dea TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Leddin TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Joe Carey TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Róisín Garvey Senator (Seanad)

Dara Calleary Minister of State (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Joeanne Bailey Councillor (Waterford City and County Council)

Michael Lowry TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Andrews MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Ciaran Mullooly MEP (European Parliament)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Kathleen Funchion MEP (European Parliament)

Luke Ming Flanagan MEP (European Parliament)

Lynn Boylan MEP (European Parliament)

Maria Walsh MEP (European Parliament)

Michael McNamara MEP (European Parliament)

Nina Carberry MEP (European Parliament)

Regina Doherty MEP (European Parliament)

Seán Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Mary Lou McDonald TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)