THE EXECUTIVE OF the Irish Farmers Association survived a vote of no confidence last night after the board met for almost 12 hours.
The acting president, Tim O’Leary, stood down to pursue election to the post.
The IFA national treasurer Jer Bergin was unanimously elected to a new post – national chairman of IFA – to lead the association until the election of a new president is completed.
It comes after a report into the pay and structures of the association was released yesterday.
The report by the former chief economist with the IFA, Con Lucey, revealed that ex-general secretary Pat Smith earned €3.4 million between 2009 and 2015, an average packet of €492,000 a year.
The internal report also stated that the pay levels of executive staff were broadly in line with those in the civil service.
The executive council described the review by Lucey as “an important blueprint for the future of the IFA”, adding:
The review is the first step in rebuilding the trust of the members of the Irish Farmers’ Association.
The Con Lucey recommendations will be debated at each of the association’s 29 county executives.
An implementation committee will be drawn up by the executive council to consider the views of the county executives and the 250 submissions that have been made, as well as any fresh proposals that come from members.
The executive council will meet on Tuesday 5 January 2016 to decide on the timing for the election of president.
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