Members of the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association (ICSA) are divided over the high-profile participation of president Seán McNamara in the recent fuel protests.

Some members have been calling for a review of McNamara’s role in the protests. The ICSA, a social partner since the turn of the century, was not invited into the crucial talks held with stakeholders on the Friday and Saturday of the fuel protests.

It’s widely believed this was directly and solely because of McNamara’s role in the protests.

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Once the protests were ended, the ICSA resumed it’s place around the table alongside the IFA, ICMSA, INHFA and Macra na Feirme. McNamara began his current term as president in December 2024.

He is entitled to seek another two years as president, having previously shared the presidency with Dermot Kelleher following the dead-heat election result in December 2022.

However, some people in ICSA are saying McNamara has stated that he isn’t seeking a third term.

Any disciplinary proceedings would require an EGM of the association’s executive committee. It is understood such a meeting would have to be approved by the management committee, and would require a mandatory notice period.

Accounts

The most recent accounts available publicly for the ICSA showed that for the year to the end of October 2023, losses of €47,255 were incurred. The association had cash reserves of just €16,835.

Total turnover was €289,357, down from €324,048 in 2022. That turnover was comprised solely of membership fees, indicating that the ICSA has between two and three thousand paid-up members.

These accounts were prepared in February 2024. The ICSA has changed its auditors in the interim, and more recent accounts were presented at the 2026 ICSA AGM in March. Those accounts were for the financial year to 31 October 2024.

It is understood they showed an improved financial performance.