Members 85,000 Website www.ifa.ie | Country Ireland Founded 1955 | |
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Native name Feirmeoirí Aontaithe na hÉireann Key people Joe Healy, President
(vacant), General Secretary
Bryan Barry, Assistant General Secretary, Michael Treacy, European Director, Kevin Kinsella, Livestock Director, Catherine Lascurettes, Dairy Executive Secretary. Office locations Irish Farm Centre, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Bluebell, Republic of Ireland, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland Profiles | ||
Pj mcgonigle irish farmers association
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) (Irish: Feirmeoirí Aontaithe na hÉireann) is a national organisation to represent the interests of all sectors of farming in Ireland.
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History
It was founded in January 1955 as the National Farmers Association (NFA), aiming to lead Irish farmers out of the depression and deprivation which had dominated rural Ireland for decades.
The NFA merged in the 1960s with four smaller organisations representing specific sectors (including Leinster Milk Producers (now Fresh Milk Producers), beet growers and horticulture) to form the Irish Farmers Association – the IFA.
In the 1972 referendum on Irish membership of the European Economic Community, the IFA campaigned for a "yes" vote, seeking access to European markets and higher prices for agricultural produce.
The IFA's head office is at the Irish Farm Centre, in Bluebell, Dublin. It also maintains 12 regional offices and an office in Brussels.
Salary controversy
In November 2015 Eddie Downey (President) and Pat Smith (General Secretary) resigned following controversy over salaries. Mr Smith's salary in 2013 had been €535,000. He resigned on 18 November. A week later members of the organisation's national executive council were informed that Mr Smith had been given a €2m severance payment and €2.7m pension. Eddie Downey admitted he had signed off this agreement, and resigned. Downey was earning €147,000 a year plus €50,000 in add-ons when he resigned.
The IFA confirmed that former IFA chief economist Con Lucey — who had attempted to raise concerns over financial issues and transparency before quitting under duress in 2014 — would oversee a review of salaries and expenses.