Thomasina Connell

Intent: To invite local Councillors to an IFA Public meeting to discuss IFA's position on the Bord Bia Chair and why his double standards have caused huge farmer anger on the ground.

Details: IFA Laois/Offaly Public Meeting - Bord Bia

Intent: To ask for an emergency Board meeting of the Bord Bia Board of Directores to be convened to discuss the issue of the Chair of Bord Bia's company Dawn Farm Foods importing Brazilian Beef.::To demonstrate extreme concern about this issue and the impact it will have on the credibility of Bord Bia with farmers.::To question whether the importation of Brazilian beef by the Chair's company is compatible with his role as Chair of Bord Bia.::That, as outlined in various items of correspondence 20th January, 30th January, 6th February, 7th February to the board, a lot of other concerning issues have emerged since the last board meeting. These also need to be considered at the meeting along with other emerging issues including the fact that the Chairman's company is not part of the relevant Quality Assurance Scheme and that this was incorrect on the Food drink Ireland website curated by Bord Bia.::To welcome the announcement that there will be a full governance probe of Bord Bia which will exami

Details: Bord Bia Board

Intent: A better working relationship with local authorities and better inclusion of people with disabilities during planning and implementation

Details: We ran 8 hustings for the local elections. The local manifestos included local access issues, housing, Transport, Sport. candidates where to work with IWA members to improve local conditions for people with disabilitiess

Intent: Grow awareness of Small Firms Association in Laois and Offaly

Details: Small business

Intent: Local councillors will attend a meeting to address Meals on Wheels gap in Portlaoise town

Details: Invitation to local councillors to attend a meeting to discuss establishing a Meals on Wheels Service in Portlaoise

Intent: To voice farmers' anger and frustration at the ever-increasing administrative burden being placed on them which has had a major impact on farm family incomes.::The following are some of the key issues that are contributing to growing frustration and anger with the political system::1. The transformation of CAP away from supporting food production towards actually reducing farm output. CAP funding is being redirected to environmental schemes – the EU is effectively implementing new environmental regulations such as the “eco-schemes” on the cheap by redirecting existing funding instead of allocating additional funds.::2. The failure of the EU to properly compensate farmers under CAP. In 2014, Ireland received €1.16bn in Pillar one funding from EU – that figure is effectively the same today, 10 years on, despite huge inflation in farmers' cost of production in the interim. Farmers are being asked to do much more to receive a lot less funds in real terms.::3. The proposed Mercusor trade de

Details: Laois County Council - 'Enough is Enough' Campaign

Intent: To highlight the issue of lack of professional communication and marketing in the county and what could be achieved.

Details: Discussion regarding the promotion of Laois as a place to work, visit and do business

Intent: Increased construction of housing in Laois, and increased availability of supply to buy and rent.::Simplification of the visa and permit system.::Fast track shallow retrofits at scale to help households mitigate the effects of higherenergy costs and ensure the retrofitting programme is as effective as possible::Encourage greater uptake of apprenticeship schemes, and target second-level students to consider this as a career path.

Details: Discussion regarding increased housing construction and availability in Laois and issues with talent and skills shortage in a number of sectors

Intent: To engage with Councillors on installing daffodil benches in their constituencies.

Details: Daffodil Benches

Intent: To highlight the challenges facing Irish farmers::To engage with Members of the Oireachtas visiting the IFA stand to highlight the key points in the IFA Budget 2023 Submission.::To listen to farmers' concerns regarding rising costs, Brexit and sectoral emissions targets.

Details: National and World Ploughing Championships 2022 - IFA Stand