Letter calling for independent review of IFA wages and pensions

DEAR SIR: For the record, I am a farmer’s wife and we are fully paid-up members of the IFA and we also pay our IFA levies on our milk and beef.

I know Pat Smith very well and I know – as do farmers throughout the length and breadth of this country – that for the past 27 years he worked night and day in the best interests of Irish farmers and the IFA.

His record will show that he gave solid and trusted advice and guidance to the leadership at all times and ensured that the organisation functioned effectively and always did what was in the best interests of Irish farmers.

In my opinion, it is obvious that this is sorely lacking since his resignation.

His hard work and delivery during his term as general secretary cannot be discounted and it shows lasting progress on a lot of policy issues from new schemes to tax breaks worth hundreds of millions to farmers and the sector.

As IFA members, we are angry at the actions and behaviour of those in charge of the IFA. In my view, their actions had consequences for the families and people involved.

Independent review

With reference to the generous salary paid to Pat Smith, I would like to point out that he did not write his own cheque and would also like to support the letter printed in your paper last week calling for an independent review showing the wages and pensions of all senior staff, past and present.

In my opinion, blaming the former president and general secretary has boomeranged and it is they and their professional advisers who now need to take responsibility for the damage done to the IFA and know that, in my opinion, they have let our organisation down.

I hope that more members stand up and let those in charge of the IFA know that more of the same will not be tolerated.

We will continue to remain members of the IFA for the moment and will be voting for a president who champions the principles of honesty, respect and fairness for others, which is what should be at the core of the IFA.