History made and new faces at the helm

The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has elected Francis (Francie) Gorman as its president for the next four years. The Laois-based cattle and sheep farmer was previously South Leinster regional chairman of IFA as well as holding several representative roles in his native Laois. Francie won a two-candidate presidential election by a margin of 3,489 votes against his opponent, Limerick dairy farmer, Martin Stapleton. Out of the approximately 30,000 votes cast, Francis won 16,699 first preferences. As an observation on the vote spread across the country, it was notable that Martin secured majorities in all Munster counties while Francie was the more popular choice for IFA members in all other counties across Leinster, Connaught and Ulster. The novel introduction of a personal member postal vote alongside the traditional IFA branch vote was seen as a success, increasing the total numbers of votes cast by almost 7,000, and is likely to remain in place for future IFA elections.

History made

There was a groundbreaking election of a woman to a top IFA position when Alice Doyle was elected as the organisation’s deputy president. No woman has previously held either of the two primary roles in IFA. Alice, who farms with her husband, Tom, in Wexford, comes with an impressive representative and administrative pedigree. She served as national secretary of Macra, as chair of the IFA’s Farm Family Committee, and has been an IFA activist for many years. Outside of her farmer representative roles, Alice was an impressive principal and administrator in several primary schools across her native Carlow and in Wexford before retiring to farm full-time. Her sole opponent in the deputy presidential election was Pat Murphy, a Galway farmer who, like Martin Stapleton, pledged his ongoing support to the IFA and the newly elected presidential team.

Focus on farm incomes

An affable individual with a personal touch, Francis (Francie) Gorman’s communicating and negotiating skills should be well-honed after his roles over 25 years in the IFA as Laois County chair and secretary, Farm Business Committee representative, and his latter position as South Leinster chair. He has set his focus on farm incomes for his tenure as president and there will be no lack of pressure in that area during the next four years. His proposition for a €15,000 environmental scheme, open to all farmers, is ambitious. As a former rugby player, he will understand the analogy that it is one thing to have possession of the ball but putting scores on the board for farmers will define his success as an IFA president.

Focus on farm incomes

An affable individual with a personal touch, Francis (Francie) Gorman’s communicating and negotiating skills should be well-honed after his roles over 25 years in the IFA as Laois County chair and secretary, Farm Business Committee representative, and his latter position as South Leinster chair. He has set his focus on farm incomes for his tenure as president and there will be no lack of pressure in that area during the next four years. His proposition for a €15,000 environmental scheme, open to all farmers, is ambitious. As a former rugby player, he will understand the analogy that it is one thing to have possession of the ball but putting scores on the board for farmers will define his success as an IFA president.

Denis Drennan takes ICMSA reins

The changing of the ICMSA guard brings Kilkenny milk producer, Denis Drennan to the top role. Denis has a long history of involvement in farmer representative politics, starting with his participation at local, county and national levels with Macra. That grounding obviously whetted his appetite, leading him to take on several roles in the ICMSA before assuming the presidency, unopposed. Denis was appointed deputy ICMSA president two years ago and was previously ICMSA’s Farm and Rural Affairs Chairman, which he used effectively to highlight the dichotomy between an EU cheap food policy and environmentally sustainable food.
Denis replaces Pat McCormack who held the ICMSA presidency for the past six years. Outside of his ICMSA roles, Denis has used his leadership qualities to good effect as Kilkenny LEADER Partnership chair and he has been a member of Fóram Uisce, the water quality group. Recognised as an abrasive and effective negotiator, Denis Drennan will need all his skills as farmers face a myriad of challenges in the coming years. Tipperary man, Eamon Carroll replaces Denis as the association’s deputy president.