National Council – the powerhouse of the IFA

Since the report published in the Irish Farmers Journal in August that Con Lucey had resigned as chairman of the audit committee of the IFA, the leadership has been fighting a rearguard action.

Such was the former chief economist’s high standing among farmers, the announcement of his resignation sent a real ripple of shock through the organisation’s membership.

Concerns have been fuelled not by allegations of improprieties but instead over why the formation of an audit committee, its terms of reference and indeed the subsequent resignation of Con Lucey had not been communicated clearly to executive council.

At the executive council meeting on Tuesday of this week, IFA president Eddie Downey accepted that mistakes had been made and apologised to members for the way the situation had been handled.

There is no doubt that the speed with which the story developed and the natural sensitivities around the subject matter left the IFA president in a difficult position.

In clarifying the situation, the president and general secretary also accepted that communication with Con Lucey, during his time as chairman of the audit committee, and the IFA leadership had not been adequate.

The issue has highlighted the primacy of IFA executive council and its ultimate responsibility for the decision-making process within the association.

It is right that the executive board is accountable to executive council, which is made up of both county and commodity chairpersons. This structure has proved robust and, when combined with the branch network, allows for grassroots members not only to contribute and influence national policy but continuously challenge the leadership. The IFA president of the day has a key role in ensuring these structures are protected.

Of course, another key function of the president is to ensure the governance structures that are in place are robust and fit for purpose. In this regard, we should welcome the establishment of an audit committee.

IFA president Eddie Downey has committed that the audit committee will now ensure that all procedures are robust and comply with industry best practice in relation to both corporate governance and remuneration.