Vital voting week in Laois man bid to lead Irish famers

The campaign by Laois man Francie Gorman to lead the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) hits fever pitch this week with many farmers expected to cast their votes at hundreds of meetings around the country.

A total of 330 IFA branch AGMs will take place across 29 County Executives this week, where members can cast their vote for the next President and Deputy President of IFA.

That represents more than one-third of the 940 AGMs that will take place by the end of November. The Laois branch AGMs and voting take place on November 27 and 28. There are 20 branches in Laois. 

The final batch of voting packs, which include ballot papers, will be issued this week. They will be sent to those members whose AGM will take place in the last week of November.

IFA National Returning Officer Brian Rushe renewed his appeal to members to have their say and use their vote.

“For this election, members have the option of bringing their vote in its return envelope to their branch meeting, or returning their vote by post.

“While the postal option is there, it is important for members to attend their local AGM and have their say on issues of concern to them,” he said.

Francie Gorman, from Ballinakill, and Martin Stapleton, from Limerick, are running for President. Alice Doyle and Pat Murphy are running for Deputy President.

Laois county budget soars past €100 million with big spends revealed

The National Count will be held on Tuesday, December 12 in the Castleknock Hotel.