IFA oppose HQ 'gagging'

A MOVE by the IFA to restrict the number of resolutions submitted from their county executives has been described as an attempt to gag their most vocal members from having their say on crucial issues.

In an effort to streamline the working of the farming body's national council, it has been proposed that county executives be restricted to one resolution per month.

The proposal comes as a result of the growing number of resolutions from the counties which are slowing the business of the national council because so much time was being devoted to debating motions from around the country.

But the move was strongly criticised at a meeting of Limerick IFA where it was described as "a gagging operation".

Limerick is one of the leading counties for raising issues for debate at national council level. The county often has up to five resolutions for discussion at a national council meeting some of which might have been carried over from a previous meeting.

Limerick's representative on National Council David Thompson, agreed that all of the issues being raised by Limerick were serious matters for members, but added that they were taking up a lot of time.

But the Limerick meeting instructed him to relay the views of the county executive opposing any restriction of the number of resolutions, and pointing out the importance of getting the views of the "grassroots" in debating and deciding on resolutions.