The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 19 Sep, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Agriculture

Period 1 May, 2025 to 31 Aug, 2025

Specific Details GAEC-2 Appeals

Intended results To urge the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine to address farmer concerns and move quickly to clarify the scope of GAEC-2 appeals. That details of the GAEC-2 appeals process seem to infer that appeals are restricted to those who plan new drainage works in 2025, with signed declarations and evidence of planned drainage works required to accompany applications. This is very much at odds with what was briefed to IFA at both national and stakeholder meetings on this very emotive issue, and what has also been briefed to planners recently. It will cause consternation and annoy many farmers unless quickly clarified. It was understood that soil samples; a planner's report; and geo-tagged photos may be required, but this is a curveball altogether. All farmers must be given the opportunity to appeal the GAEC-2 status of individual parcels, irrespective of whether lands were ever drained in the past or not, or whether new drainage is planned in 2025 or not. That since indicative GAEC-2 maps were released saying there is no way individual parcels on farmers' land are GAEC-2 they will very much be contesting it. Farmers have to be given that opportunity, and where backed by science and soil samples, have the GAEC-2 obligations removed. To engage with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM) seeking clarification on this issue, and will continue to do until it is resolved. To welcome amendments that have been made to the DAFM GAEC-2 application forms following concerns raised by IFA earlier this week. To highlight that ensuring all farmers are given the opportunity to appeal the GAEC-2 status of individual parcels is essential. IFA has been getting calls from farmers since indicative GAEC-2 maps were released saying there is no way individual parcels were GAEC-2 land. They now have a chance to appeal the inclusion of these parcels. To highlight also that the clarification makes the need for signed declarations/proof of drainage works obsolete. These requirements should be removed from appeal application requirements.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, John Curran IFA Rural Development 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.

Email (2-5)

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.

Brian Purcell Special Adviser (Department of Agriculture and the Marine)

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

Aindrias Moynihan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

William Aird TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter 'Chap' Cleere TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Joe Cooney TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Michael Fitzmaurice TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Danny Healy-Rae TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Martin Kenny TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Lawless TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Natasha Newsome Drennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Victor Boyhan Senator (Seanad)

Paraic Brady Senator (Seanad)

Joanne Collins Senator (Seanad)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Eileen Lynch Senator (Seanad)

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)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)