Emer Higgins

To implement the asks contained in the submission covering areas from housing, to business supports

To ensure an understanding of VFI industry perspectives on the proposed legislation

To ensure an understanding of VFI industry perspectives on the proposed legislation (Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025).

Invitation to roundtable discussion to mark the launch of Mastercard’s policy report, ‘Resilient Ireland: how digital payments technologies can support small businesses to thrive’

Seek support for pre-budget submission

To propose::• A Forgotten Farmer scheme be introduced, with all farmers meeting the above parameters eligible to apply for a one-off payment equivalent to what they would have received under the Installation Aid scheme, together with the following and/or equivalent schemes::-…

To propose that, as farmers in Ireland continue to lead in advancing the high health and welfare status of the animals under our care. The broader Agri sector benefits enormously from the investment and work of farmers in this area. There must be a more inclusive distribution of…

To propose that funding must be provided to farmers for costs incurred in implementing biosecurity advice to reduce the interaction of wildlife with cattle.

To propose that, with BTV 3 and 12 circulating in the UK and Europe and new outbreaks of FMD across the EU, the Government must develop comprehensive plans for managing these diseases should they enter the country. These plans must include the extent of movement controls that…

To propose that, to encourage farmers to grow protein crops such as peas, beans, lupins, and combi-crops, rates of up to €600/ha for beans, peas, and lupins should be offered, with a 50% discount for combi-crops.

To propose a labour cost support scheme specifically for horticulture, acknowledging the sector's unique challenges.::To propose a halting on the GEP roadmap for horticultural employers to prevent further disproportionate wage inflation.::To propose the immediate establishment…

To propose that funding for the scheme be increased to €15m (from €8.5million in 2024) to meet the demand for investment, evidenced by the oversubscription of the scheme in previous years, particularly last year.::To propose that consideration is given to the inclusion of…

To highlight that the Irish mushroom sector requires tailored capital support to adopt automation and robotics. This investment is crucial for enabling the Irish mushroom sector to remain competitive globally in the export-led, rural-based sector. Automation is the only viable…

To propose that a budget of €2M should be provided to initiate a pilot Spent Mushroom Compost scheme.

To propose that the seed potato sector receives ringfenced financial support to encourage increased production.