Politicians too numerous, ineffective

Virtually every farmer in the country feels there are too many politicians in Ireland and that they are overpaid and ineffective in their job as legislators.

Farmers, the survey found, have an extremely negative view of politicians. This is despite the election of the traditional farmers’ party, Fine Gael, into power in 2011.

A total of 97% of all farmers surveyed said they either agreed or strongly agreed that we have too many politicians and that they are overpaid and ineffective. About 88% strongly agreed, with just 2% saying they slightly disagreed with this view — and not a single farmer strongly disagreed in any of the eight farming regions surveyed.