The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Lobbying Organisation The Irish Farmers' Association - IFA

Date published 13 Sep, 2026

Relevant Matter Matters involving public funds

Public Policy Area Finance

Period 1 May. 2026 to 31 Aug. 2026

Specific Details Designated Areas

Intended results IFA Propose • An appropriate compensation scheme, funded independent of CAP, is required to ensure farmers currently affected by designation are properly compensated for the farming restrictions placed on them and to account for loss of earnings and devaluation of land. Compensation should be permanent and in place for as long as the designation is in place. A ‘no compensation, no designation' policy should apply. IFA oppose any further designations on farm land until current designations have been adequately compensated for and existing system inefficiencies redressed. • No further restrictions should apply to lands currently designated. Instead, increased support (advisory; financial etc) should be provided and agricultural activity allowed to continue. • Legislative provisions should be introduced to denote the voluntary nature of NRL interventions, with robust protective measures designed and in place to protect the security value and economic interests of adjoining landowners. Funding for NRL interventions should be long-term in nature, funded independent of CAP. • Meaningful consultation and engagement with farmers is required prior to the imposition of any designation, with a mechanism provided for farmers wishing to appeal the proposed designation. The abrupt imposition, without any meaningful Government/stakeholder engagement, of designations on farm land to date has been unacceptable. • In consultation with IFA, a full review of the internal operating dynamic surrounding designations, compensation and applications for ARC's is required because the existing is not fit for purpose. • In consultation with IFA, and following the original Farm Plan scheme construct, an independent body should be set up or engaged with regard any review/revised Farm Plan Scheme costings and/or payments. • The Farm Plan scheme should operate alongside other agri-environmental schemes, and additional funding allocated to offer bespoke management plans and pay all farmers where, due to designation of land, restrictions are imposed on farming and lands significantly devalued. • A new ‘Farming for Habitat and Farming for Species' payment needs to be introduced to maximise environmental gain and compensate farmers who suffered a loss in income when the Hen Harrier; Pearl Mussel; Burren Schemes ended. • Eligible area for Disadvantaged Area Payments should revert back to previous levels. • Greater supports should be provided toward the control of invasive species, including amongst others, flexibilities for Organic farmers to be able to utilise, on a targeted and limited basis in compliance with dedicated agreed management plans, select herbicides / pesticides.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Francie Gorman IFA President, Alice Doyle IFA Deputy President, Damian McDonald IFA Director General, Elaine Farrell IFA Director of Governance & Oireachtas Engagement, Tadhg Buckley IFA Director of Policy & Chief Economist, Robert Malone IFA Senior Policy Executive, Shane Whelan 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 TDs

Submission All TDs

Letter All Senators

Submission All Senators

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Email (11-20)

Meeting (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.

Dee Ryan Senator (Seanad)

Deirdre Gillane Chief of Staff (Department of the Taoiseach)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Holly Cairns TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Jack O'Donnell Special Advisor to the Tanaiste (Department of Finance)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill Minister (Department of Health)

Jennifer Whitmore TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Clendennen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Matt Carthy TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Niall Collins Minister of State (Department of Justice)

Nicole Ryan Senator (Seanad)

Nikki Bradley Senator (Seanad)

Noel O'Donovan Senator (Seanad)

Pat the Cope Gallagher TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Daly Senator (Seanad)

Robbie Gallagher Senator (Seanad)

Rose Conway-Walsh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Finance)