Tom Turley Connacht chairman

Q1 What was the mood of farmers towards IFA at the ploughing?

The mood was good towards IFA. The main criticism was that we are not being hard enough on the Minister, but we are in his face on the key issues. Others like to blame IFA for every problem that exists in the sector. Farmers have concerns, especially beef and CAP.

Q2 Is there any merit in criticism that the organisation is not in touch with farmers on the ground?

The role of regional chairs is an important connection between local and national. IFA holds 2,000 meetings every year for 90,000 members. There are always critics, but farmers know that IFA will represent them when they have a specific problem.

Q3. Is there a specific problem with smaller farmers?

What is a smaller farmer? Around me in east Galway, there are a lot of intensive farmers on small acreage facing an SFP cut. Commonage farmers have more land, but challenging conditions to farm. They get an increased SFP payment, but need access to GLAS. Commissioner Ciolos pushed regionalisation, which would have been a disaster for the west, as the solution to all CAP problems. The RDP was crucial, and we pushed for 50%, getting 46%.

Q4 Is the resignation of Con Lucey a cause for concern?

No, it’s not. We in IFA are ahead of legislation in setting up the audit committee. Con Lucey’s suggestions in terms of the remit of the committee are being taken on board and acted on, as he is held in high regard. The matter had a full airing at executive board and council, as it should. Robust structures must be in place to ensure members’ money is always spent wisely.

James McCarthy Munster Chairman

Q1 What was the mood of farmers towards IFA at the ploughing?

People were coming in looking for explanations of our policy positions, particularly in relation to beef, the rural development programme and malting barley. Some accepted our positions, some didn’t.

Q2 Is there any merit in criticism that the organisation is not in touch with farmers on the ground?

No. We’ve held a range of meetings at regional level. There are county executives every month, and every farmer can attend any of these.

There is constant engagement, and now we’re heading into a full round of branch meetings. The phone numbers of all representatives are freely available and on our website, so anyone who wants to raise an issue can do so at any time, and believe me, farmers do – every day.

Q3 Is there a specific problem with smaller farmers?

I don’t believe so. We represent all farmers, and have to reflect a broad range of concerns in our policies. No one ever gets all they want. Some have concentrated on criticising IFA, which disappoints me, but we have always had smaller sub-groups lobbying on specific issues, and that’s fine.

Q4 Is the resignation of Con Lucey a cause for concern?

The issue was fully dealt with yesterday at executive council. Everything that was said there, every question asked, had already been asked at the executive board, which had dealt with the matter fully. Our internal structures have always been robust. IFA are ahead of the curve in setting up an audit committee. It’s not a requirement.

James Murphy South Leinster chairman

Q1 What was the mood of farmers towards IFA at the ploughing?

It was mixed and not surprisingly so. There is a level of anger from beef and drystock farmers in particular. There’s no hiding place. I accept that it was difficult to do enough all year, but the Association is working hard on all the issues, and people see that we are fighting for them.

Q2 Is there any merit in criticism that the organisation is not in touch with farmers on the ground?

I don’t think so and I mean that by the number of people that are continuing to show up at our beef meetings and at county executives. We have the finger on the pulse through our county chairmen. Farmers are talking to them and ringing the office too to discuss issues.

Q3 Is there a specific problem with smaller farmers?

I don’t accept that ... IFA has always looked after all farmers in all enterprises. Every scheme we’ve lobbied for has been aimed at delivering for smaller farmers.

Q4 Is the resignation of Con Lucey a cause for concern?

Absolutely not. It’s unfortunate that the issue has got airing. IFA has always dealt with issues in-house. Saying that, there is now a line drawn under the matter.

The recommendations Con made have been put in place and this will safeguard the future of the organisation.

Bert Stewart Ulster/North Leinster Chairman

Q1 What was the mood of farmers towards IFA at the ploughing?

Farmers were very supportive in the main. In particular of the beef campaign we have been running at retailers and the like. They know that we worked hard to secure the budget for the Rural Development Programme and they want scheme opened up as soon as possible to get money flowing.

Q2 Is there any merit in criticism that the organisation is not in touch with farmers on the ground?

Absolutely not. IFA is farmers representing farmers. Elections go through a democratic structure. There are senior officers at county executives. We always ensure that concerns are brought to the fore.

Q3 Is there a specific problem with smaller farmers?

All farmers are finding it difficult, regardless of scale. It’s not just about smaller farmers. IFA will continue to fight for farmers to make farming viable in terms of market price and the relevant supports are put in place.

Q4 Is the resignation of Con Lucey a cause for concern?

No, not to me. It was accepted that poor communications led to misunderstanding and that has been resolved now.

We’ve more pressing farmer-related concerns to be dealt with.