The IFA has been plunged into a presidential election, as a nightmare scenario unfolds. The revelation that president Eddie Downey signed off on a €2m severance package for former general secretary Pat Smith on the day of his departure without the approval of treasurer Jer Bergin, deputy president Tim O’Leary or financial controller Ken Heade has resulted in the president losing the confidence of the executive council. “In the interest of continuing to have a strong voice and representation for Irish farmers and the agricultural sector, it is essential that Con Lucey now gets the opportunity and backing from executive council and staff, together with the space by ordinary members of the IFA, to complete his work comprehensively,” Downey said in a statement issued by the IFA.
The IFA has been plunged into a presidential election, as a nightmare scenario unfolds. The revelation that president Eddie Downey signed off on a €2m severance package for former general secretary Pat Smith on the day of his departure without the approval of treasurer Jer Bergin, deputy president Tim O’Leary or financial controller Ken Heade has resulted in the president losing the confidence of the executive council.
“In the interest of continuing to have a strong voice and representation for Irish farmers and the agricultural sector, it is essential that Con Lucey now gets the opportunity and backing from executive council and staff, together with the space by ordinary members of the IFA, to complete his work comprehensively,” Downey said in a statement issued by the IFA.
Former IFA audit committee chair Con Lucey is due to make recommendations on remuneration oversight and governance and report to the next meeting of the executive council on 15 December.
Listen to our special podcast discussion on the resignation of Eddie Downey below:
Downey was absent from Wednesday’s executive council meeting after he decided to “step back” in the wake of the ongoing crisis over senior pay packages at the IFA.
Downey defends his record
“I made no demands or requests that I be treated any differently to former holders of the office. My sole interest and motivation in taking on the onerous role as president of IFA was to work tirelessly and be judged by my record of delivery for Irish farmers here and in Brussels,” Downey said.
He added that he had “always demanded the highest levels of governance and accountability within IFA”, insisting that the “governance and management of IFA was a clear function and responsibility of the senior executive leadership with oversight from elected officers”.
This clearly points to former general secretary Pat Smith. Downey further defended his record, describing himself as a “reforming president” who “worked to get the audit committee up and working, met with Con Lucey and agreed with his proposed solutions to issues to be addressed by that committee. Unfortunately, that committee’s work was frustrated.”
Election on the way
A new president is due to be elected within two months, according to the IFA’s constitution. The consequences of an IFA election coinciding with elections for national government are unclear.
The Irish Farmers Journal understands that the executive council will now consider the rules that may allow the election to be deferred until the summer.
The IFA’s 940 branches all operate as separate constituencies in presidential elections, which would require significant organisation. The mood towards the association will make canvassing difficult.
Earlier on Wednesday, the executive council heard that the outgoing president had signed off on a
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