Peter Lynch, Co Donegal, Kieran McEvoy, Co Laois, Liam Dunne, Co Kildare, and James Hill, Co Wicklow, can take great credit for what they have achieved on behalf of all Irish farmers. The four men, along with the IFA membership that supported their protest, sent a clear signal to the Department that farmers were going to stand up for their rights – much in the same way as we saw IFA members from north Tipperary holding the Department to account on the issue of farm inspections.

IFA president Joe Healy and director general Damian McDonald are harnessing the true power of the organisation: grassroots farmers. Healy is delivering on a commitment to work effectively with his committees and county representatives. While both protests were driven by IFA members, they were led strongly by the president and fully supported by the executive team.

The six-day sit-in was about much more than the crop loss scheme. The level of support on the ground reflected the level of farmer anger with the Department across a range of issues, including late payments, delays to schemes and what was viewed by some as a significant shift in how the Department engaged with farm organisations. We will watch closely as to how it responds. There is no doubt that this latest episode will have damaged the standing of Minister Creed among farmers.