Relevant Matter
Matters involving public funds
Public Policy Area
Agriculture
Period
1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025
Specific Details
IFA Budget 2026 Submission - meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine
Intended results
To meet with the Minister for Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to discuss the IFA 2026 Pre-Budget Submission.
To highlight that this budget will be very significant as it will be an opportunity for the Government to make good the commitments they have made in their programme for Government.
To emphasise that the Budget in October will be against the backdrop of growing uncertainty for farm families, whether that's the impact of tariffs imposed by American President Donald Trump or the CAP negotiations that began officially in Brussels this week.
To highlight to the Minister for Agriculture, Food, & the Marine that additional costs and regulation put margins under threat. The commentary about improved product prices fails to reference the significant burden that the highest standards impose. He must be a strong voice at the Cabinet table when the budget details are under discussion.
That, among the key priorities, are the need for farmers to secure a fair share of the €3.1bn Climate & Nature fund; permanent RZLT exemptions for active farmers, a continuation of key taxation supports expiring at the end of 2025, increased TAMS funding to avoid use of ranking and selection procedures and increased ANC payments.
That increased supports to mitigate market uncertainties and inflationary pressures, together with targeted sectoral interventions, especially for our vulnerable sectors, is paramount.
That the grain sector in particular is in crisis with increased costs of production without an uplift in grain price. Without immediate direct support, tillage farmers will be forced out of business.
To propose that the Minister must prioritise the survival of the tillage sector at a time when it is in real danger of contracting even further.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, John Curran IFA Rural Development Chair, Kieran McEvoy IFA Grain Chair, Shane Whelan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Robert Malone IFA Senior Policy Executive, Max Potterton 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 (6-10)
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.
Brian Purcell
Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)
Martin Heydon
Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Brendan Gleeson
Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)
Sharon M Murphy
Assistant Secretary General (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)