The IFA Munster chair candidates

John Coughlan and John O’Brien are the only two candidates in the running to succeed James McCarthy. Coughlan, a suckler farmer, and O’Brien a dairy farmer have differing views on some of the key issues regarding the assocation at present. Tommy Moyles got the views of both men on the key issues ahead of voting next week.

John Coughlan

1. Should levies be abolished?

There are major issues among farmers on the collection of levies, especially from factories. I believe that they should be reduced initially and eventually phased out, with county executives having a direct input. I believe each county executive should discuss levies and should bring forward proposals and submissions. These would be discussed at national council and national council would return a synopsis of alternatives for financing of the organisation.

2. What is the role of the Munster chair?

I see the role as being a conduit for the direct flow of information from the ordinary farmer member through county executive to the national council and executive board and to have the information flowing back the very same way. I would also see that the Munster chair would have to be in contact regularly with the nine county chairs in Munster and support them in any issues they would have in each county or to bring a united front on issues that may be of benefit to the region.

3. Should the previous executive board have been stronger on pay and remuneration?

In dealing with the issue of pay and remuneration, the previous executive board started the process by putting in place a remuneration committee and an audit committee. As is obvious to everyone, that process was too slow. The culpability does not rest with this board in totality, but with previous administrations as well.

4. What should an IFA general secretary be paid?

I think they need to be paid accordingly but properly benchmarked. The critical issue as far as I can see is that the pay needs to be totally transparent and the position needs to be of a fixed term. There are soundings that the general secretary should be paid the same as the general secretary of the Department of Agriculture, but it must be remembered their pensions are paid by the taxpayers so there may have to be a discrepancy with regards pension.

5. Should the IFA pay the Pat Smith severance package?

Farmers are very supportive of not paying it, but you have to look at the best legal advice available in this situation and I think the most important thing that under no circumstance should more farmers’ money be wasted in finalising the settlement.

6. Will you ensure all of the Con Lucey report recommendations are implemented?

There are an awful lot of positive aspects to the report but I think the report does not reflect the totality of the reforms that are needed within the IFA or that need to take place to restore confidence within the organisation. Some of the items in the Con Lucey report need to be taken further, plus there are other issues that need to be added.

7. Why did you decide to run?

Initially on hearing the details of what went on, I felt shocked and disillusioned, but it became obvious that the core values of the IFA were as important as ever and they were worth fighting for. People across the province of Munster encouraged me to put my name forward. When I sat down with Ann and the lads they encouraged me too and I decided I was up for this challenge. I realised that there needs to be strong representation and Munster is a very productive part of Irish agriculture and needs to be represented well and I was anxious to be part of that.

John O’Brien

1. Should levies be abolished?

The method of collecting the levy is causing a lot of discussion and anxiety. The more I look at the levies, the more I see that if we are to continue providing, or more importantly growing, the services the IFA provides, we will have to have a wide and serious conversation about both levies and membership. One thing I like about the levy is you pay according to the business transacted.

2. What is the role of the Munster chair?

You’re part of the executive committee council etc, answerable and advisory to the president. I see it as an invaluable role in being the conduit for the Munster area, the contact person who attends branch and county meetings and heads up meetings, negotiations or protests at a regional level. I would like to think I can contribute in other areas where I would have experience.

3. Should the previous executive board have been stronger on pay and remuneration?

That goes without saying, there seems to have been a lot of sleepwalking within the organisation. What frightened me when all this broke was how little was known by those on council or board and how information was drip-fed. Of course, the executive board and council should have known more, there should have been a procedures manual in place. there was a new remuneration committee put in place but that should have been there long before. Equally, I think there needs to be a whole range of other committees. Having worked in many organisations I would help implement and work in such committees. This can be from within the organisation or it can bring in outside expertise, but any of these need to meet regularly and need to have a clear job spec.

4. What should an IFA general secretary be paid?

The understanding is that they are based similar to the secretary general of the Department of Agriculture. The remuneration committee will deal with this.

5. Should the IFA pay the Pat Smith severance package?

I cannot comment. It is legally negligent and careless of anyone to comment.

6. Will you ensure all of the Con Lucey report recommendations are implemented?

Having read it several times, it is a starting position. I think there is a phenomenal job of work to be done, including a root and branch trawl going through everything to make sure there are no other issues within the organisation. I think we need to examine further than 2009 and see where the culture that prevailed up to last December grew from. We need to move forward. If elected, I would suggest we need to knuckle down and do an intensive job of work and issue an immediate comprehensive report.

7. Why did you decide to run?

It came to a head when a large group of fellow IFA/farmers put it to me to run for a position within the organisation. My involvement in farm politics has been quite different. I’m seen as an outsider, but I see no reason why an ordinary member of the IFA cannot aspire to senior office. I was involved on the Macra national executive, was chair of Barryroe IFA, a board member and chaired Barryroe co-op and Carbery group. I have served on the boards of ICOS and Ornua where I gained invaluable experience in audit and governance, remuneration, pensions, procedure etc. I continue to hold the position of chair of WCDP and secretary of Barryroe IFA to mention a few. I also completed diplomas in corporate governance direction and leadership in UCC and DCU/Ryan Academy.