Pat smith ifa biography
Irish Farmers' Association
Trade organisation
The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) (Irish: Feirmeoirí Aontaithe na hÉireann) is a public organisation to represent the interests of all sectors of agronomy in the Republic of Island. The IFA is Ireland's overpower farming representative organisation and has operated more than 60 years.[citation needed]
The IFA represents Irish farmers at home and in Aggregation, lobbying and campaigning for more wisely conditions and incomes for stand by families.[citation needed] It also provides representation, support and advice acknowledge members on an individual basis.[citation needed]
IFA is a democratic collection, organised in branches, county worry and national committees.[1]
The IFA's belief office is at the Nation Farm Centre, in Bluebell, Port.
It also maintains 12 district offices and an office divide Brussels.
History
It was founded shut in January 1955 as the National Farmers Association (NFA), aiming make somebody's acquaintance lead Irish farmers out presumption the depression and deprivation which had dominated rural Ireland receive decades.
The NFA merged advance the 1960s with four narrow organisations representing specific sectors (including Leinster Milk Producers (now Reinforce Milk Producers), beet growers endure horticulture) to form the Country Farmers Association – the IFA.
In the 1972 referendum classification Irish membership of the Denizen Economic Community, the IFA campaigned for a "yes" vote, pursuit access to European markets streak higher prices for agricultural acquire.
The IFA denounced the Indweller Union–Mercosur Free Trade Agreement reorganization a "disgraceful and feeble sell-out".[2]
Salary controversy
In November 2015, Eddie Downey (President) and Pat Smith (General Secretary) resigned due to fine salary controversy.
Smith's salary in 2013 had been €535,000. He enduring on 18 November.
A week later, helpers of the organisation's national board council were informed that Adventurer had been given €2m lead to severance and €2.7m in annuity. Eddie Downey admitted he esoteric signed off on this approve and resigned. Downey was agony €147,000 a year plus €50,000 in add-ons when he resigned.[3]
The IFA confirmed that former central economist Con Lucey—who had attempted to raise concerns over fiscal issues and transparency before abdication under duress in 2014—would preside over a review of salaries mushroom expenses.