New IFA president against ‘drip feed of information’

The new president of Irish Farmers Association has said he would back the publication of pay conditions within the body.

Joe Healy has said the organisation needs to be more transparent.

He was elected on the first count yesterday after controversy over pay and conditions led to an ousting of several members of the executive.

Around 5,000 people decided not to renew their membership in the wake of the row, while 63% of the remaining 75,000 members did not vote.

Mr Healy has said the IFA needs to focus on farm incomes.

“Personally and I’ve said it right through, the last thing I want to see coming out is a drip feed of information every three, every six months, every year,” said Healy.

“It’s going to constantly be a cause of bringing the organisation down and taking our eyes off the core issues which remain farm income.”