The IFA, Pillar 2 50/50, and the Farming Independent

Conmaicne Mara

Yes, he's off on another rant.

A quote from Today's article in the Farming Indo titled, "Branch revolt as IFA accused of ignoring its small farmers":

"An IFA spokesman said Fianna Fail would be much better off attacking the Government and putting their shoulder to the wheel to help the IFA campaign to secure 50/50 co-financing for Pillar II"

There was a proposal brought by an IFA county chairman to hold a Pillar 2 co funding rally in Mayo, to which all Western and interested TD's plus the Taoiseach would be invited so pressure could be applied, with transport laid on to bring members there.

That action needed IFA approval before it would go ahead.

The IFA blocked that rally happening.

Those who blocked this happening had better have a really good deal made behind the scenes in it's stead.

reilig

"A candidate in the IFA Presidential election is vowing to be a strong voice for farmers in the North West if elected.

Eddie Downey's call comes as voting continues this week in the race to fill the role vacated by the outgoing John Bryan.

Mr. Downey's rival for the job is Laois man Jer Bergin.

And Mr. Downey says farmers in the North of the country have been under-represented down the years....."

Surely if they are paid up members they should be represented equally to all members. Carrot, stick and donkey come to mind.....

TITANIUM.

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Yes, he's off on another rant.

A quote from Today's article in the Farming Indo titled, "Branch revolt as IFA accused of ignoring its small farmers":

"An IFA spokesman said Fianna Fail would be much better off attacking the Government and putting their shoulder to the wheel to help the IFA campaign to secure 50/50 co-financing for Pillar II"

There was a proposal brought by an IFA county chairman to hold a Pillar 2 co funding rally in Mayo, to which all Western and interested TD's plus the Taoiseach would be invited so pressure could be applied, with transport laid on to bring members there.

That action needed IFA approval before it would go ahead.

The IFA blocked that rally happening.

Those who blocked this happening had better have a really good deal made behind the scenes in it's stead.

Ya the deal is Bryans candidacy for the blue shirts in the next European elections.
They couldn't give a tupenny fcuk abt us.

Username John

TITANIUM. wrote: »

Ya the deal is Bryans candidacy for the blue shirts in the next European elections.
They couldn't give a tupenny fcuk abt us.

Is this true? (Or just conjecture?)

Conmaicne Mara

TITANIUM. wrote: »

Ya the deal is Bryans candidacy for the blue shirts in the next European elections.
They couldn't give a tupenny fcuk abt us.

I don't think he likes any gathering he can't control. I know I go on about it, but the meeting in Claremorris early in the year was clearly stage managed going by the audience questions and who wasn't let in to speak.

Tuesday or Wednesday I think is the expected announcement date on funding. Kenny, Gilmore, Noonan, and Howlin are the biggest players in it, notice Coveney isn't in that 4, though he could push he won't want to unless pressure was applied which was part of the reason for the Western Rally.

No disrespect meant to farmers drawing money from P2 in other parts of the country but a P2 rally in Mullingar would have been laughable if it wasn't so important.





Now, lets test some memories.

Who remembers nothing is agreed until everything is agreed? Meaning P1 wasn't to be agreed until P2 was also agreed.

TITANIUM.

Username John wrote: »

Is this true? (Or just conjecture?)

Tis still a rumour in fairness, Albeit a Nationwide Rumour. I guess time will tell.
You got to admit their very cosy!

Conmaicne Mara

Username John wrote: »

Is this true? (Or just conjecture?)

It's a rumour that's been doing mileage for a while.

Not without precedence, Tom Parlon.

TITANIUM.

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

I don't think he likes any gathering he can't control. I know I go on about it, but the meeting in Claremorris early in the year was clearly stage managed going by the audience questions and who wasn't let in to speak.

Tuesday or Wednesday I think is the expected announcement date on funding. Kenny, Gilmore, Noonan, and Howlin are the biggest players in it, notice Coveney isn't in that 4, though he could push he won't want to unless pressure was applied which was part of the reason for the Western Rally.

No disrespect meant to farmers drawing money from P2 in other parts of the country but a P2 rally in Mullingar would have been laughable if it wasn't so important.





Now, lets test some memories.

Who remembers nothing is agreed until everything is agreed? Meaning P1 wasn't to be agreed until P2 was also agreed.

Do you seriously think that he'll care who he can control, sitting in an extremely well paid cushy number carrying a fine handy pension with it.

Conmaicne Mara

TITANIUM. wrote: »

Do you seriously think that he'll care who he can control, sitting in an extremely well paid cushy number carrying a fine handy pension with it.

Yes I do actually. The meeting I referred to was something East German propagandists would have been proud of. Jesus John lovely to see you I remember the last time you were in our kitchen, then a nice soft question followed. There was NO open discussion allowed, despite repeated claims it's a democratic organisation working for all farmers. A few "troublemakers" were pointed out to me, lads who disagreed with the top table, the mic was kept WELL away from them. Including people who were main movers in the infamous letter of that time. Michael Holmes was actually heckled by the top table. It was control central.

Farmer Pudsey

I find the coverage difference between the Farmers Journal and the Irish Independent very interesting over the last while. The FJ writes or shows very little criticism of the IFA. Is this because they operate out of the same complex in Bluebell. The FJ is very pro the present status quo re SFP and voices and shows little opposition to it. The Independent is coming down on the opposite side it seems.

Today it mentioned about the possibility of another farm organisation, to represent small and part time farmers. That will make five body's representing farmers IFA. ICMSA. ICSA, Macra and if it happens the new organisation. The Independent is definitely giving voice to criticism of the IFA. It also writes about low levels of voting at meetings.

Has the IFA serious issue to address is it decline and have the mainstream farm organisations become so wrapped up in there own inner taught that they are losing the interest of the membership. How long will it be before they start to lose members and the power to represent farmers. Is the selecting a leader a matter of voting for Tweedledum or Tweedledee and has lost the interest of Members. It is also interesting to read that along the west coast that members feel that they are being taken for granted.

The other thing that I think is it any longer acceptable the continual sprint by past Presidents into politics. The rumour mill about John Byrne is in full swing about his supposed his impending interest in next years European Elections. This tends to lead members to question his representation of them over the last year, It also leaves a sour taste if Pillar 2 co-funding shortfall is large especially as this was the panacea for non reform of the SFP.

The other thing of interest is that last week in the FJ Darren Carty wrote that he was receiving criticism about his coverage of weekly cattle prices. For the last while I have found Joe Healy's coverage more accurate regarding prices on the ground. But then again I be one of Darren Carty ''soft sellers.''

The last thing I want to comment about is this week is the first time that I read an article in the FI in the formers John Shirley slot. I have found the articles and different contributors over the last few weeks a bit tedious. On farming articles is it acceptable that Matt Dempsey is writing a fairly generic article for the FJ every week is it right that the FJ should be supporting his pension.

Conmaicne Mara

TITANIUM. wrote: »

Do you seriously think that he'll care who he can control, sitting in an extremely well paid cushy number carrying a fine handy pension with it.

I may have taken your question up wrong earlier. I was talking about his current position, I think now you were referring to an MEP job?

Conmaicne Mara

Pudsey,

It will be interesting to see if there is any mention of unrest in IFA in Thursday's (Wednesday night Sharpshooter) edition of IFJ, and if there is (I'll be surprised) what spin is put on it. FI also printed what I consider and important piece earlier in the year on some high SFP earners who were a lot less active than others claimed, and I believe backed that claim up. Not a peep of that in IFJ. FI was also the publication which people read the letter of discontent in, whether that letter was sent to IFJ or not, I don't know.

I have heard calls for a new organisation and I am not convinced it's going to happen. There is a lot of work involved in starting and developing such an organisation, that's even before one attempts to be taken seriously by politicians and various Departments. I hear a lot of calls for protests on Enda Kenny's doorstep, Coveney's doorstep (waste of time IMO), and even Farm Centres doorstep. There could be some merit in them.

As a West coast farmer I don't feel taken for granted, I feel lied to and marginalised. I'm reminded of the saying, "Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining". Pillar 1 is important to the Minister and to most of the top brass in IFA. Pillar 2 is important to small farmers, with small SFP payments. IFA camped out on Coveneys doorstep for Pillar one, yet blocked a rally in Mayo for Pillar two, unless IFA has already secured a very good co funding deal we don't know about, that tells me what I need to know about IFA's value on small farmers.

A union/lobby is only as good as the number of members they can turn out onto the street. Ironically, most of the 1,000 that camped out on Coveneys doorstep earlier this year was from WOI, and that info came directly from IFA.

I raised the issue of dissatisfaction with both candidates. One I think payed some heed, the other not much if any. Who will win, will it matter, I don't know. I cast my vote last night anyway and part of my reasoning was that reaction.

J DEERE

Farmer Pudsey wrote: »

I find the coverage difference between the Farmers Journal and the Irish Independent very interesting over the last while. The FJ writes or shows very little criticism of the IFA. Is this because they operate out of the same complex in Bluebell. The FJ is very pro the present status quo re SFP and voices and shows little opposition to it. The Independent is coming down on the opposite side it seems.

Today it mentioned about the possibility of another farm organisation, to represent small and part time farmers. That will make five body's representing farmers IFA. ICMSA. ICSA, Macra and if it happens the new organisation. The Independent is definitely giving voice to criticism of the IFA. It also writes about low levels of voting at meetings.

Has the IFA serious issue to address is it decline and have the mainstream farm organisations become so wrapped up in there own inner taught that they are losing the interest of the membership. How long will it be before they start to lose members and the power to represent farmers. Is the selecting a leader a matter of voting for Tweedledum or Tweedledee and has lost the interest of Members. It is also interesting to read that along the west coast that members feel that they are being taken for granted.

The other thing that I think is it any longer acceptable the continual sprint by past Presidents into politics. The rumour mill about John Byrne is in full swing about his supposed his impending interest in next years European Elections. This tends to lead members to question his representation of them over the last year, It also leaves a sour taste if Pillar 2 co-funding shortfall is large especially as this was the panacea for non reform of the SFP.

The other thing of interest is that last week in the FJ Darren Carty wrote that he was receiving criticism about his coverage of weekly cattle prices. For the last while I have found Joe Healy's coverage more accurate regarding prices on the ground. But then again I be one of Darren Carty ''soft sellers.''

The last thing I want to comment about is this week is the first time that I read an article in the FI in the formers John Shirley slot. I have found the articles and different contributors over the last few weeks a bit tedious. On farming articles is it acceptable that Matt Dempsey is writing a fairly generic article for the FJ every week is it right that the FJ should be supporting his pension.

The IFJ has always been bias in its approach to the IFA, Teagasc and any other organization which may have an influence in its production. I remember writing an assignment back when I was doing the masters and had referenced a few pieces from the IFJ. Lecturer at the time called me aside and warned me about quoting from that paper due to it being extremely bias in nature. Most of the articles written in it hold very little weight when questioned on verification and contain too much personal opinion as opposed to fact. He went on to explain that the IFJ has its own personal agenda regarding agriculture and the path organizations like the IFA, Teagasc and The processors want it to take. If the IFJ was an unbiased publication would it be a stakeholder in the Greenfield site?

tabby aspreme

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

It's a rumour that's been doing mileage for a while.

Not without precedence, Tom Parlon.

Alan Gillis also stood for FG in Europe, they gave John Dillon a miss for some reason:D

red bull

My opinion, one candidate is just a mouthpiece for a former president and the other has possibilities to be a breath of fresh air to the organisation

Bodacious

Conmaicne Mara wrote: »

Pudsey,

It will be interesting to see if there is any mention of unrest in IFA in Thursday's (Wednesday night Sharpshooter) edition of IFJ, and if there is (I'll be surprised) what spin is put on it. FI also printed what I consider and important piece earlier in the year on some high SFP earners who were a lot less active than others claimed, and I believe backed that claim up. Not a peep of that in IFJ. FI was also the publication which people read the letter of discontent in, whether that letter was sent to IFJ or not, I don't know.

I have heard calls for a new organisation and I am not convinced it's going to happen. There is a lot of work involved in starting and developing such an organisation, that's even before one attempts to be taken seriously by politicians and various Departments. I hear a lot of calls for protests on Enda Kenny's doorstep, Coveney's doorstep (waste of time IMO), and even Farm Centres doorstep. There could be some merit in them.

As a West coast farmer I don't feel taken for granted, I feel lied to and marginalised. I'm reminded of the saying, "Don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining". Pillar 1 is important to the Minister and to most of the top brass in IFA. Pillar 2 is important to small farmers, with small SFP payments. IFA camped out on Coveneys doorstep for Pillar one, yet blocked a rally in Mayo for Pillar two, unless IFA has already secured a very good co funding deal we don't know about, that tells me what I need to know about IFA's value on small farmers.

A union/lobby is only as good as the number of members they can turn out onto the street. Ironically, most of the 1,000 that camped out on Coveneys doorstep earlier this year was from WOI, and that info came directly from IFA.





All looking very cosy alright how they blocked that rally Con... never had much time for or interest in the IFA... they should be encouraging us out onto the streets in numbers (like our French comrades to get the best deal) we'll see how it goes and I hope that they have struck a wonder deal behind the scenes but if not I'd have no hesitation to tell mart/factory next time.. don't deduct any of that crap from my cheque

TITANIUM.

red bull wrote: »

My opinion, one candidate is just a mouthpiece for a former president and the other has possibilities to be a breath of fresh air to the organisation

Very interesting! Wish ud tell me which is which?

red bull

Hint.. Laois previous president

bob charles

red bull wrote: »

Hint.. Laois previous president

sound, if I just knew who the candidates now are, Im sorted

red bull

One of them farms north of the Galway Dublin line

coolshannagh28

Cialos gave us a great chance to reform our payment system but Coveney and Bryan definately gave him the run around ,a lot of farmers could not understand the approach taken by the government and the IFA ,I for one cannot comprehend the logic of pillar 2 it seems to run contrary to the original SFP idea and when it was raised as a means of top up for smaller and part time farmers I was very sceptical that it was a runner. Cialos seemed pretty pissed at Coveneys line at the negotiations when Ireland had the presidency and I wouldn't think he will throw too many buns in our direction now.