The IFA AGM on Tuesday saw Minister for Agriculture Michael Creed bring a strong panel along to the Farm Centre. The minister was accompanied by Minister of State Andrew Doyle, Department of Agriculture secretary general Aidan O’Driscoll, and Creed’s adviser Jonathan Hoare – a tacit recognition of the central role the IFA plays in Irish farming.

Aidan O’Driscoll’s visible reaction to the idea of a crisis fund for grain farmers suggests the opposition to that proposal is in Agriculture House rather than Leinster House.

While the top table was crowded, one person not there was Damian McDonald. The new director general was low-key, sitting deep in the crowd all day.

It is true that McDonald didn’t formally take office until the conclusion of the AGM. It’s also true that things could have been arranged so he stepped in, front and centre, from the beginning of proceedings. Take it as a strong indication that McDonald will be a background operator, an adviser to the president.

It was announced that the new role of secretary recommended by the Con Lucey report will be filled by a current member of staff recommended by the president and deputy president and put forward for the council’s approval. It is widely expected that Bryan Barry will fill that role.

Among the county chairs present was Tom Short of Wicklow. His term is up, but he is expected to seek a position on the animal health committee. Scrapped under the Dowling reforms, it has since been an ad-hoc group. Bert Stewart is current spokesman.

IFA president Joe Healy has reinstated its full committee status, fulfilling an election campaign pledge. Short is tipped to seek the chair in the autumn, as is Pat O’Keeffe, the former pig committee chair. It’s a big role.

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