IFA fallout: All eyes look to Con Lucey for report on corporate structures and governance

As the IFA enters the unchartered waters of vacancies in its presidential and secretary general roles, any member seeking solace might look at the man charged with ensuring that something similar does not happen again.

Con Lucey, formerly the organisation’s chief economist, is likely to present a report on corporate structures and governance within the IFA at a meeting scheduled for December 15. Brought back into the fold, his report could form a blueprint for how the IFA conducts its top-level business in the future.

The root-and-branch review of salaries and expenses will look at all aspects of top-level pay and expenses, and will also make recommendations on what future contracts for the general secretary slot and other positions will look like — in terms of pay and contract length.

The audit is effectively picking up from where Mr Lucey left off in August last year when, having been drafted back to conduct the audit at the start of the year, he quit referencing “unacceptable interference” from now-gone secretary general Pat Smith.

Mr Lucey, who is from west Clare, gave 34 years service to the IFA and was its chief economist for more than 25 years.

He joined the IFA’s economics section in November 1973, having secured a degree in agricultural economics from University College Dublin.

He became chief economist in March 1979 and was a key player in issues such as CAP reform and IFA involvement in social partnership.

He received plaudits from his colleagues in the organisation when he stood down in 2008, only to be asked back by Eddie Downey. However, on his resignation last year, he wrote to Eddie Downey: “The immediate reason for this decision is what I consider as unacceptable interference by the general secretary, Pat Smith, in the work of the committee.”

eddieDowneyIFA_large.jpg[#embed1]

He also cited his lack of accountancy and auditing experience and the fact that he was not “emotionally detached” from the IFA. In his second letter to Mr Downey in the same month, he said there was “a lack of accountability in the setting of levels of financial remuneration for the two most senior office-holders”.

It seems he is now back to finish the job.