Bryan Barry is set to retire from the IFA after 34 years, council members were told on Tuesday night.

He will step down after the organisation's AGM in January, having most recently held the position of the association's secretary and deputy director general.

He is the 12th member of staff to have left the IFA over the past year following a voluntary early retirement programme which cost the organisation €1.134m.

Recently, IFA treasurer Martin Stapleton said that the ongoing savings from the restructuring of staff would be in the region of €600,000 per annum.

Speaking to IFA council members, IFA president Tim Cullinan said: "I want to thank Bryan for his outstanding level of service to farmers in his 34 years with the Irish Farmers Association.

"In that time, he has devoted a huge amount of time and commitment to the work of [the] IFA on behalf of farmers."

IFA director general Damian McDonald thanked Bryan Barry for his exceptional dedication to the IFA since joining in 1986, during which time he worked with 11 presidents.

“Bryan’s wisdom and experience has been invaluable in guiding the association’s officers and staff in serving its members and delivering for farmers for more than three decades. We wish him and his family well in his retirement,” he said.

Support

Bryan Barry thanked the members of national council for their support and leadership in working for farmers.

“I want to also pay tribute to all those voluntary members I’ve worked with down through the years. It has been an absolute privilege to work on behalf of farmers.

“I also want to thank all my staff colleagues who have served with me over many years. The IFA has an important role in developing policy for farmers and I want to wish everybody in [the] IFA all the best for the future,” he said.