Intent: To request a meeting with the Minister of State in the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs to discuss the Irish Presidency of the EU and the top priorities for the IFA.::To focus on improving the conditions of farm families and rural areas nationally and through the cooperation of EU Member State Organisations.::To emphasise that, given that agriculture is Ireland's largest indigenous industry, exporting over €18.1 billion worth of goods in 2024 and supporting over 300,000 jobs directly and indirectly, it is imperative that a competitive agriculture sector is a central priority of the Irish Presidency of the EU in 2026.::That, given the timing of the Irish Presidency and the Council objective of concluding specific negotiations by the end of 2026, It is likely that Ireland will conclude negotiations on the Multiannual Financial and Common Agricultural Policies which gives further importance to placing agriculture at the very center of the Presidency Priorit
Intent: Ensure respiratory infections prevention is considered as a priority topic for EU healthpolicy during the Irish EU Council Presidency in second half of 2026 (esp. Presidency healthwork programme for Council activities during Presidency mandate)
Details: Irish EU Council Presidency (Health work programme and priorities)
Exchanged emails with the Private Secretary to the Minister of State for European Affairs and Defence to schedule a meeting with Minister Byrne in Brussels, initially set for 17 November, then moved to 16 December, and ultimately postponed to 2026. - EmailHosted an event at the European Parliament in Brussels on 15/10, featuring former Health Minister Stephan Donnelly as speaker. - Event / ReceptionReplied to: (1) a targeted consultation organised by the Department of Health on priorities for the upcoming EU Presidency titled 'Defining the Health Agenda for the Irish Presidency'; (2) a Public Consultation organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on the Development of the Priorities and Policy Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026. - Submission
Intent: - Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Schemes (TAMS)::The Government must honour commitment to increase grant aid to 60% for solar projects under TAMS. Additional funding for solar projects must be allocated(in addition to the proposed TAMS/On Farm Capital Investment Scheme budget). This additional money must be ring-fenced and the cap restrictions eased, similar to the Low Emission Slurry Spreading Scheme, to support adoption. I addition, the size restriction(maximum size of PV panels eligible for grant aid is 11kw) should be removed and should be::- Introduce a new small-scale solar generation scheme for farms::A new small-scale solar generation scheme should be introduced for farmers to support the deployment of solar PV on farms. There are significant limitations under the TAMS, specifically that the (i) energy generated on farm cannot be used in the home and (ii) it does not permit the surplus energy to be exported the grid.::This is leading to energy inefficiency and is restrictin
Details: Solar Energy and the Agriculture Industry
Intent: Invitation from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to attend a high-level event.::To answer questions and contribute towards developing a shared understanding of what sustainable food systems mean for research and innovation in the Irish agri-food sector, now and into the future.
Details: Research & Innovation for Sustainable Food Systems : Delivering on the Ambition of Food Vision 2030
Intent: That the Live Valuation Scheme be amended to provide for animals to be valued independently and fairly at the price they would make on the open market.::That Income Supplement and Depopulation Grant payments must reflect the full income loss caused by the removal of animals from farms, payable from the date of restriction up to the point the farm can return to normal production.::That the Hardship Grant Scheme must fully recognise the additional costs imposed on farmers through the maintenance of additional animals, including calves in dairy herds and be payable at rates that are reflective of the costs involved based on Teagasc costings and be available to all restricted farmers who are forced to maintain additional animals.
Details: Financial Supports for Farms impacted by TB restrictions
Intent: IFA require all farmers to be accepted into the Agri - Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) and that those applying in 2023 must be paid in the same year::To highlight the critical importance of payments to farmers' income.::To highlight that the overall maximum payment in the co-operation zones is not enough and represents a cut when compared to previous schemes.::To seek a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Intent: Secure DAFM support and engagement with DEFRA to maintain as much pre-brexit registration services to Irish breeders selling horses into the UK; and ensure ancillary equine passport related services continue
Details: Impact of DEFRA decisions on EU Animal Breeding Regulations and the affects on registrations on equine ID documents, e.g. passports
Discussion with Minister McConalogue at launch of Studbook Series in Abbotstown, Co. Dublin - MeetingPhone calls with Patrick Donohue, Special Advisor & with Kevin Smyth, Assistant Secretary. - Phone call
