Four people have put their names forward to become the new Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) National Treasurer.
The position is currently held by Martin Stapleton who unsuccessfully contested the IFA presidential election last month.
The Limerick farmer took over the role from Tim Cullinan in 2020 when he was elected IFA president.
An IFA spokesperson confirmed to Agriland that by the close of nominations today (Tuesday, January 2) the following candidates had declared their interest in running for the IFA treasurer:
- Patrick McCormick, Monaghan;
- Rose Mary McDonagh, Galway;
- Pat O’Keeffe, North Cork;
- Nigel Sweetnam, Cork Central.
The election, in which only members of IFA National Council are eligible to vote, will take place as part of the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Farm Centre in Dublin on Tuesday, January 9.
The new IFA president, Francie Gorman and IFA deputy president, Alice Doyle will officially take up their positions at next week’s meeting, along with the three new IFA regional chairs: Conor O’Leary (Munster); Brendan Golden (Connacht) and Paul O’Brien (South Leinster).
It has also been confirmed that John Carroll, the Louth IFA chair has been elected as the new chair of the farm organisation’s National Rules and Privileges Committee.
This position, which was previously included with the role of treasurer, is currently held by outgoing IFA deputy president Brian Rushe.
Following the recent elections, several IFA committee chair positions will also be officially filled next week:
- Declan Hanrahan, a beef farmer from Laois, will take over as chair of the IFA National Livestock Committee;
- Bill O’Keeffe, who is a dairy farmer in Kilkenny, will be the new chair of the IFA Farm Business Committee;
- John Murphy from Cork will assume the role of chair of the IFA Environment and Rural Affairs Committee.
The IFA Rural Development Committee and Farm Family and Social Affairs Committee will both meet on Friday, January 5 to select new chairs.