At its annual general meeting last Tuesday night last, Donegal IFA passed a motion of no confidence in IFA staff members Kevin Kinsella and Gerry Gunning as well as the chairperson on IFA’s Farm Family committee Maura Canning.

The motion of no confidence against Kinsella relates to an alleged lack of activity in the beef sector while the motions against Gunning and Canning relate to alleged failings by the IFA with regard to the Farm Assist scheme.

Personal grievances

The Dealer understands that the motions of no confidence in the three people were motivated, primarily, out of personal grievances.

Kinsella is IFA’s director of livestock while Gunning is the rural development executive within the association.

Staff members such as Kinsella and Gunning carry out functions on behalf of their respective committees.

The motions will now be sent to the IFA for debating at a meeting of its executive council.

Bringing motions of no confidence in staff members is highly unusual with some senior IFA people describing the move as “unprecedented” and “out of order going after staff members”.

Valid concerns on livestock and Farm Assist

IFA Donegal County Chairman Michael Chance said that the recent AGM in the county raised important issues on Farm Assist and livestock, and motions were passed on both of these.

Chance said while valid concerns were raised on these important issues, to focus the motions on individuals rather than the issues themselves was the wrong approach. He said he is working to depersonalise the motions so as to keep the focus firmly on progressing the issues for farmers.