Joe Healy has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the IFA presidency. In his inauguration speech at the IFA AGM on Wednesday, he announced the immediate start of a review of the controversial €5m levy system.

“In four years’ time I don’t want to be meeting people that are saying: ‘You promised transparency and we didn’t get it’,” Healy said at a press conference following his speech. “I want transparency to be easily accessible. Farmers are keeping the organisation going, they’re paying their membership, they’re paying their levies.”

In addition, the process to appoint a new director general starts now. It will be a “slightly different role” to that of the general secretary, Healy said, confirming that a new role of company secretary will be created, as recommended in the Lucey report. There will also be a comprehensive review of all areas of income and expenditure. This includes a review of pay and working conditions at all levels.

In addition, Healy set out new initiatives aimed at making the organisation more transparent. Full financial accounts will be placed before the AGM every year and published on the IFA website. Neither the president nor director general will be made members of the remuneration committee that will set their payment levels.

The new president, who was elected on the first count last week, said he wants the IFA to be an organisation that is welcoming and delivers for all farmers.

Healy also announced two new committees with full council representation. The animal health committee, abolished by the Dowling reforms a decade ago, has been reinstated.

The hill farming committee, which currently has partial representation, will gain full status and be augmented by representatives for designated areas from every county. “A lot of people from the hill areas around the country have felt, long before last November, their chairman should have a full seat on national council, so that’s not because of any recent events,” Healy said.