AgTech Ireland

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Laura Mannion (Special Advisor), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: In discussions with Minister Peter Burke and Enterprise Ireland, the AgTech Ireland Board highlighted the sector’s role in rural jobs and regional growth. Talks focused on faster policy and funding supports, building globally significant agtech companies like Halter, and expanding into emerging food-security markets while improving access to and visibility of existing supports.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Bill Callanan (Chief Inspector), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: Engagement with Minister Heydon and his officials focused on shaping TAMS and other supports to accelerate on-farm technology adoption, as well as improving access for agtech SMEs to finance, including through the EU’s Horizon Europe programme. The critical role of Teagasc in underpinning innovation and on-farm adoption was also reinforced.

Methods: EmailMeetingInformal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: Improved understanding for our group of AgTech Ireland company representatives of the impact of global geopolitical developments on EU policy as it will impact agriculture, farming and environmental legislation, but also supports for the development of sustainability and efficiency enhancing technologies by agtech innovators, and their adoption by farmers.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Barry Cowen (MEP), European Parliament; Maria Walsh (MEP), European Parliament; Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (MEP), European Parliament; Billy Kelleher (MEP), European Parliament; Seán Kelly (MEP), European Parliament; Ciaran Mullooly (MEP), European Parliament; Nina Carberry (MEP), European Parliament; Kathleen Funchion (MEP), European Parliament; Luke Ming Flanagan (MEP), European Parliament; Michael McNamara (MEP), European Parliament

Intent: Arrange meeting with the Irish MEPs to discuss the European and global geopolitical context and its impact on the EU MFF, funding for CAP and on-farm investment, the new approach to regulations/environmental compliance and how this might impact the priority given to sustainability and innovation adoption by farmers in the new CAP.

Methods: Phone callEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter 'Chap' Cleere (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Noel Grealish (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; William Aird (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Increasing awareness among TDs of agtech industry, its relationship to the agriculture sector, and its potential to support it in improving sustainability of agriculture. Opportunity to exchange.

Methods: Informal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: Improving our members' understanding of developing policy situation regarding nitrates derogation, CAP negotiations and more.::Opportunity for our members to engage in dialogue with Minister on issues of concern, including CAP payments, support for on-farm investment through TAMS and more.

Methods: Informal communicationEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: Facilitate Minister Heydon in opening the AgTech Ireland Conference 'Transforming Agriculture with AI' at the Curragh Racecourse on 21st May 2025.

Methods: Informal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Brian Purcell (Adviser to Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Barry Cassidy (Special Adviser), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: Participation of Minister Heydon to the AgTech Ireland Conference 'Transforming Agriculture with AI' as Opening Speaker.

Methods: Phone callInformal communication

Politician(s) lobbied: Martin Heydon (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Intent: A courtesy letter to acknowledge the Minister's new appointment and convey our congratulations and our hope to further collaborate with him and his Department in helping progress the country's agricultural sustainability.

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance; Niall Collins (Minister of State), Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science; Micheál Martin (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Foreign Affairs; Charlie McConalogue (Minister), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Darragh O'Brien (Minister), Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Simon Harris (An Taoiseach), Department of the Taoiseach; Martin Heydon (Minister of State), Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Heather Humphreys (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development; Patrick O'Donovan (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Neasa Hourigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eamon Ryan (Minister), Department of Environment, Climate and Communications; Roderic O'Gorman (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Ivana Bacik (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ged Nash (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Matt Carthy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mairéad Farrell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mary Lou McDonald (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Eoin Ó Broin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Louise O'Reilly (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Darren O'Rourke (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Holly Cairns (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Murphy (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Jennifer Whitmore (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: Improving the visibility among politicians ahead of the General Election of the Irish agtech ecosystem, and increase awareness of its importance to support greater levels of environmental, economic and social sustainability of agriculture.

Methods: EmailSocial Media