Members of the IFA turned up in big numbers at Laois County Council this morning as part of their ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign.
Laois IFA chairman John Fitzpatrick and national IFA chairman Francie Gorman, who is also from Laois, led the protest.
They gathered outside the council offices with tractors and machinery scattered everywhere.
Members of the IFA, on the invitation of Laois Caothaoirleach Paschal McEvoy, then came into the chamber.
Here, both Fitzpatrick and Gorman, spoke to those in attendance about their campaign.
The ‘Enough is Enough’ campaign centres around the fact that farmers are angry with ‘increased regulation, reduced supports, and falling incomes’.
On Friday, Francie Gorman met with Taoiseach Leo Varadkar where he outlined a number of grievances.
A number of key issues were discussed at the meeting including the nitrates derogation; late payments; the need for immediate tillage supports; ash dieback; the Residential Zoned Land Tax; and work permits.
Speaking to Councillors today, Mr Gorman outlined all of these and spoke about the upcoming Local Elections in June.
He said: “We will have out manifesto out in three weeks time and we will be asking our members to vote for candidates that they feel are going to deliver for farmers.
“We are A-political and do not support one party over another.
“We look forward to working with whoever is elected to make sure we get those policies implemented that can help farming families.”
He received a round of applause from all in attendance and the Laois County Councillors agreed to support the farmers in what way they could.
Cathaoirleach Paschal McEvoy spoke on behalf of all 19 of the Councillors.
He said: “We really get the farming message here today and it is shabby work that payments are not being processed.
“Delays down to computers is absolute madness and we as a group of Councillors are 100% behind you.”
SEE ALSO – The story of the great Pat Critchley set to be told on TG4’s Laochra Gael this Thursday
