Farmers on €27k paid for €535k post - IFA salary scandal

THE political fallout from the IFA salary scandal may be more damaging to the organisation than the actual cost of the pay package of former general secretary Pat Smith.

Mr Smith, whose remuneration package was €535,000 in 2013 and €445,000 last year, had led the farming lobby group since 2009 and held key roles in the organisation for 25 years.

Even going on last year’s figure, his package of basic pay, pension contribution, bonus and director’s fee was a grotesque amount and contrasts sharply with family farm incomes which currently run to less than €27,000 a year.