So, Liam Herlihy has been confirmed as the new chair of Teagasc. It won’t come as a major surprise to anyone who read this page last week. A fairly broad hint or two was dropped. What should farmers make of the appointment? I think it will be largely welcomed. Firstly, he is a farmer, and will bring farmyard experience and focus to a role that has been occupied by industry insiders. It’s 30 years since a farmer has been appointed to this position, and that was Joe Rea. He once described his five-year term as the “most frustrating experience” of his career, and complained that the decisions taken by the board were not implemented.
So, Liam Herlihy has been confirmed as the new chair of Teagasc. It won’t come as a major surprise to anyone who read this page last week. A fairly broad hint or two was dropped.
What should farmers make of the appointment? I think it will be largely welcomed. Firstly, he is a farmer, and will bring farmyard experience and focus to a role that has been occupied by industry insiders. It’s 30 years since a farmer has been appointed to this position, and that was Joe Rea. He once described his five-year term as the “most frustrating experience” of his career, and complained that the decisions taken by the board were not implemented.
It is unlikely that Liam Herlihy would ever make such an unguarded comment, but he will face the challenge of helping ensure that Teagasc continues to juggle the advisory, educational and research roles it is tasked with.
All three are demanding, and all three require significant resourcing. He will be a busy person, combining the role with that of chair of FBD Holdings.
Ask a busy person – and offer them suitable remuneration. Liam Herlihy will receive around €20,000 for his chairmanship, hardly eye-watering, but when added to the €102,000 for his chairmanship of FBD, it is not a bad income at all.
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