Galway vote vital as IFA go to polls

THOUSANDS of Galway IFA members across the county have been strongly urged this week to turn out at their branch meetings and vote in the forthcoming presidential election.

Last time out, a huge turn-out at Galway branch meetings delivered a total of 184 votes – however this time around the vote is not expected to be as high as there is no election for the Connacht Vice-Presidency. Galway’s Tom Turley had no opposition for that position.

Both candidates for the presidential election to succeed Kilkenny’s John Bryan, are understood to have mounted strong campaigns in the county over recent weeks – the Galway vote, like the national outcome, could be tight, according to IFA observers.

The head-to-head battle to lead the country’s biggest farming organisation with nearly 90,000 members is between Meath’s Eddie Downey and Laois man, Jer Bergin.

Downey (51), a 140 acre tillage, beef and poultry farmer from near Slane is the current IFA Deputy President as well as being Meath County Chairman.

Bergin (49), farms 150 acres with his brother, including a 55 cow suckler to beef herd, a hogget enterprise and a tillage operation. He is the current Leinster Vice-President of the IFA.

The main campaign points of Bergin are: giving power back to the members; an improvement of the regulatory and inspections regime; a multi-national price guarantee for produce; more incentives for young farmers and more Government support.

Eddie Downey cites 20 years of experience working for the IFA at all levels as proof of a solid track record of achievement. He points to his successes in importing fodder during the Spring crisis as well as the improved VAT rate. He also is pushing for a ‘yellow card’ system of warnings in inspections.

Galway IFA Chairman, Michael Flynn, urged all IFA members in the county to come out and vote in the election and have their say in selecting the man that will lead Irish farming over the next four years.

“The IFA is a very democratic organisation and we are asking all members to turn out at their branch meetings and to exercise this right,” said Michael Flynn.

Last evening, Roy O’Brien, IFA Regional Officer, reported a very strong turn-out at the branch meetings held around the county so far.

He pointed out that four years ago, there were 184 votes in Galway and while the turn-out was unlikely to be as strong again, the county would still deliver a big vote.

Branches with up to 25 members at their meetings have one vote in the national election; two votes for 26 to 50 and an extra vote for each 25 members after that.

Galway has a total of 77 branches – last time out, a number of branches ‘pulled in’ three to four votes showing of between 50 and 100 members.

Tim O’Leary from Cork and J. J. Kavanagh of Wexford are contesting the position of Deputy President – the votes will be counted at the Castleknock Hotel, Dublin, on Tuesday December 17.