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The three presidential candidates, Henry Burns, Joe Healy and Flor McCarthy, spoke to audiences in Tipperary north, west Cork, Cork central and Waterford between Monday and Thursday. After a slow start, the debate became livelier in Waterford.
How have the candidates found the debates so far? Can they last the pace? The Irish Farmers Journal spoke to the candidates at event in Carrick on Shannon on Friday night.
“It has been energising to be honest,” Burns said. “It’s great to be able to get and engage with the members at the debates. There are good quality questions coming forward on all the farm income issues and all the issues affecting the organisation.
“My own team have gotten very energised by the week and we’re looking forward to next week.
Has it been tiring?
“Certainly at times but I am used to it. I have been heaviliy involved in IFA and I’m used to travelling the country so it’s probably a bit less stressful for me than others,” Burns added.
“I have it a great first week. (The week has been) exhilarating, challenging, exciting and hugely educational,” Healy said.
Has it been tiring?
“Absolutely. You might feel tired at the end of the day but then you get into the hustings and meeting the people would get you on the go again and you’d be looking forward to the night ahead again.
“I got a great response from Munster so far. I’d be very confident that if the west and the east are as positive towards me as Munster, I’ll be looking forward to the count,” Healy said.
“The whole week was a massive week for me. The cheer I got in Cork central (from the audience) on Wednesday night was unbelievable and it was also great in west Cork and Waterford,” McCarthy said.
Has it been tiring?
“I’m here in Carrick on Shannon tonight (Friday), I’m in Monaghan tomorrow (Saturday) and back to Kerry on Sunday, so not yet.
“I’m happy with the support I got so far and I think the other candidates are starting to realise that I have a serious block of support in the county Cork,” McCarthy said.
Four down, 25 to go. The road trip rolls into Cork north on Monday night at 8pm. You can follow the Irish Farmers Journal live blog at every one of the IFA hustings over the next seven weeks. Log on to farmersjournal.ie for more.
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