The fault lines within the IFA were opened up in public last Thursday at an incendiary election hustings in Waterford.

Former national dairy chairman Kevin Kiersey called for the pay levels of Padraig Walshe, John Dillon and Tom Parlon to be revealed, as well as that of former general secretary Michael Berkery.

“I am asking, if you are elected president, will you commit tonight that you will make those figures known?” he asked.

Kiersey also delivered an impassioned defence of former president Eddie Downey, saying he had been “an honourable man” caught in a crossfire between other factions within, and asked whether the candidates would make an apology to Downey. Flor McCarthy indicated that he would.

Henry Burns said that he “accepted the bona fide” of Eddie Downey in relation to the events surrounding his resignation. Joe Healy praised the work Downey had done as chair of the farm business committee Healy now serves on.

In an earlier question to the deputy presidents, Kevin Kiersey said that Eddie Downey had been “shot and hung” by senior members of the IFA.

Levies

The other key issue was that of levies. It was stated from the floor that Cork marts are charging a 10% administration fee on the levies they collect, which amount to €160,000 to €170,000 a year.

It was then highlighted that if this were replicated, €500,000 of levies were being retained by marts, processors, merchants and co-ops.

The candidates all indicated that the future of levies is now under question.

Waterford was the first, and so far only, hustings where the IFA upheaval dominated. It’s a county with close ties to Eddie Downey, whose brothers-in-law were in attendance.

Meetings continued through Munster this week, with Limerick on Wednesday likely to be a lively meeting. Munster meetings conclude with Clare this [Thursday] evening. The campaign then moves to Leinster, with Wexford on Monday, followed by Kilkenny, Carlow, and Wicklow.