North Tipperary IFA confirms appointment of new chair

Imelda Walsh is set to take over the reins of the North Tipperary branch of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA).

Walsh, a dairy farmer alongside her husband, previously held the role of secretary of the branch. She will replace outgoing chair, Tim Cullinan.

The newly-appointed chair of North Tipperary IFA was elected earlier this week.

There is a total of 29 county executives within the IFA, with Co. Tipperary being split into north and south. Co. Cork is also divided into north, central and west.

The chairperson of the county executives has key responsibilities as both the IFA leader and chief spokesman in their respective areas, as well as being the county’s representative on the executive council.

The county chair is supported by the other elected county officers, in particular the county vice-chairman and the county secretary. They are also supported by the development officer and administrator, who are based in the local IFA office.

The role of the county executives is to canvass the views of members and branches on policy and other issues, and to represent those views within the association, through the various national committees and at the executive council.

The county representatives at national level also have the responsibility of reporting back to their counties on IFA activities, national policy decisions and other developments.

Ulster / North Leinster chairman elections

Meanwhile, a number of meetings and debates are taking place in the Ulster / North Leinster IFA chairman election race.

A range of hustings are scheduled to take place in the region in the race for chairman, which is being contested by Nigel Renaghan from Co. Monaghan – who is currently the chairman of the IFA’s Poultry Committee – and James Speares from Co. Cavan.

County executive meetings for candidates’ debates and voting have already taken place in counties Donegal and Meath recently.

More events are scheduled for the coming days: