Relevant Matter
Public policy or programme
Public Policy Area
Housing
Period
1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026
Specific Details
Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing
Intended results
To welcome the launch of the Draft Sustainable Rural and Gaeltacht Housing National Planning Statement as a positive step for rural Ireland.
To highlight that excessive planning restrictions that prevent access to housing have become one of the main barriers facing young people and families who want to live, work, and be part of a community in rural Ireland.
To highlight that IFA have pursued this issue for some time as it's something that our members in every part of the country bring up. For too long, rigid and inconsistent planning guidelines have prevented people with genuine local and family connections from building houses and making homes in their own communities. The launch of today's policy should go some way towards addressing this problem.
To stress that this new policy must deliver several clear outcomes including a real reduction in the planning restrictions; an increase in housing delivery in rural Ireland; a more practical, consistent and cost-efficient planning system; and support for the long-term future of farming families and rural communities.
To accept an invitation to attend a Sinn Féin consultation meeting on the Sustainable Rural & Gaeltacht Housing Draft Statement.
Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity
Francie Gorman IFA President, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Kevin Sweeney IFA Louth Chair, Geraldine O'Sullivan IFA Senior Policy Executive, Claire McGlynn 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.
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.
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Conor D McGuinness
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Eoin Ó Broin
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Mairéad Farrell
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Rose Conway-Walsh
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Victor Boyhan
Senator (Seanad)
John Cummins
Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
James Browne
Minister (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)
Dara Calleary
Minister (Department of Social Protection)
Kevin 'Boxer' Moran
Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)
Erin McGreehan
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)
Paula Butterly
TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)