IFA defends its executives’ right to privacy on salary

IFA president Eddie Downey said politicians, more than any other group, should respect the democratic decisions taken and procedures adopted by a representative organisation such as those made by the governing body of IFA.

The IFA was responding to Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesman Éamon Ó Cuív’s call for transparency on IFA executive pay.

Mr Ó Cuív told Agriland.ie that IFA members had a right to know the salaries of general secretary Pat Smith and other senior executives.

Mr Downey said issues of the IFA remuneration committee and the general secretary’s pay have been discussed in detail by the IFA’s elected executive council.

The council has rejected a motion to publish the general secretary’s pay.

The council decided that a strengthened remuneration committee would deal with the pay and conditions of the general secretary and would also set the terms for the president.

Mr Downey said the strengthened committee will meet in the next few weeks and will take on board views from members.

Resolutions relating to this and other issues of concern to counties will be on the agenda as the normal part of business of the next executive council meeting.