CAP fault lines still apparent

The fallout from the resignation of former IFA general secretary Pat Smith and former president Eddie Downey continued this week as counties vote on motions of confidence in the executive board.

At the time of going to print, executives in counties Donegal, Roscommon, Mayo, Galway, Kerry, west Cork and Sligo had voted no confidence in either all or some of the members on the executive board or some of the people who had seen the Con Lucey resignation letter. The majority of counties, including Kilkenny, Wexford, Meath and Offaly, have said they will hold judgement on the executive board until the outcomes of Con Lucey’s report into the structures of IFA is concluded.

Many at the meetings have voiced concerns over the leadership from the executive board but are willing to allow Lucey’s work continue.

The executive board, as it stands, comprises of acting president Tim O’Leary, treasurer Jer Bergin, regional chairmen Tom Turley, James McCarthy, Bert Stewart and James Murphy.

When you look at Figure 1, it highlights the voting trend. All the motions of no confidence in the entire executive board or members of the board come from the western seaboard, from Kerry to Donegal. It was this region that showed the most disillusionment with the latest Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) negotiations. As reported in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal, it is in the west where the IFA has lost most ground in recent years with regard to membership.

Disconnect

There would appear to be a disconnect between the west of the country and IFA headquarters in Bluebell.

Most other counties yet to vote are likely to hold off until the outcomes of the Lucey report are published unless further heat comes on the executive board. Calls are now emerging from the west for the national executive of the IFA to take charge of the situation by installing a temporary chairman who will give a committment not run for president.