Branches did the business for Healy

COUNTY Galway IFA Chairman, Pat Murphy, this week paid a special tribute to all of the branch officers across the county for helping to deliver such a massive vote for newly elected IFA President, Joe Healy.

He said that the organisation in the county had put in a huge effort to deliver a major ‘platform vote’ for Joe Healy and, when asked, the members hadn’t been found wanting.

“We knew that we had a big membership in Galway who could deliver nearly 4,000 votes for Joe Healy and they did just that.

“In fairness there was great support for Joe Healy right across the West of Ireland and at an early stage of the campaign the signs were good from the other provinces too,” Pat Murphy told the Farming Tribune.

He said that there was also a ‘magnificent’ campaign team behind Joe Healy but he added that the efforts of Director of Elections, Anne Mitchell and former National President, John Donnelly, were exceptional to the cause.

“I suppose that overall it has been a tough year in the IFA with the pay scandal and the resignations. There was a real mood for change among farmers and Joe Healy really was the ideal candidate to fill that gap.

“Morale had been down in the association but last week when Joe Healy returned to the Raheen Woods Hotel after his election as president there was a real sense of elation and pride among all those present.

“He is taking on a tough job and he had to hit the ground running on the day after the election. There was no honeymoon period, but Joe is really looking forward to ‘getting stuck in’ on the issues that matter to Irish farmers,” said Pat Murphy.