Downey reminded the council that it had rejected a motion calling for disclosure to it of the scale of pay involved, and had overwhelmingly endorsed that “the strengthened Remuneration Committee be accepted and get on with its work”.

In a clear reference to Derek Deane’s public letter on the matter, Downey described it as “regrettable that any member of council would deliberately try to circumvent the authority of our governing body”.

Motions passed by two county executives

Downey then recognised the “concerns raised by our membership as a result of these actions”. In the last week, motions have been passed in west Cork and in Cavan, with concerns also raised – but no motions passed – in Carlow, Laois and Kildare county executives. The Cork and Cavan motions mean the issue of the general secretary’s pay will be on the agenda for December’s monthly meeting of the 53-strong executive council.

Downey said that in response to the concerns being raised by grassroots members, he has called on national treasurer and remuneration committee chairman Jer Bergin to convene the committee, “immediately get down to work” and report back to the December executive council meeting regarding both the general secretary’s pay and his own remuneration as president.

He referenced a benchmarking report the IFA commissioned earlier this year, carried out by Towers Watson, and said the remuneration committee will see that report.

Downey concluded by asking all executive council members to accept the decisions it makes, and that “we have more than enough real issues to address on behalf of our members”. ?