THE MAN who will guide the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) into the future as its new chief executive and general secretary, Pat Smith, said yesterday he has no illusions about the difficulties to be faced.
"The planes are banking up there and some of them [are] running out of fuel but problem solving is our business," he said following his ratification by IFA's national executive yesterday.
Mr Smith, from Tierworker, Kilmainhamwood, Co Meath, confessed yesterday to having a passion for farming, something he inherited from his father.
He knows the business of farming from both inside and out, having worked on his family farm and, following his graduation from UCD in 1983, as an adviser and consultant.
He joined the IFA 20 years ago and a year later took over the job as director of operations, a post he has held since then.
"The paid membership of IFA has increased by 40 per cent since I took over, despite the fact the figures say there has been a 30 per cent drop in the number of farmers," he said. "My aim is to further develop the IFA assets and the main asset we have is our membership," said Mr Smith who is married to Elizabeth. The couple have three teenage sons.
He said the organisation was in good shape financially and was well organised across the country with 950 branches and a strong county, regional and national structure.
"The key to having a good organisation is to have a strong membership and to serve those members. You must never, never, ever do anything other than to advance their cause," he said.
He said apart from the fact IFA membership was good value for money, for its members it was never more relevant than it is today with all the challenges facing the farming sector.
"My job in IFA was to drive on the resources of the organisation and that is what I have done," he said.
"I may have a few welts on my back but there are certainly no knives in my back. I understand the dynamic. It is definitely a political job but we will be judged on the work we do for our members," he said.
Asked if he had any thoughts on the Lisbon Treaty, he said he was sure this question would tax the minds of the executive council of the organisation. "It is a very big issue and it will get an airing at the national council and I am sure the right decision will be made and we will proceed on that," he said.
Mr Smith, whose love of Gaelic games equals his passion for farming, paid tribute to the outgoing secretary, Michael Berkery, who held the post for over 25 years. Mr Smith's appointment was welcomed by IFA president Pádraig Walshe who said he had shown outstanding commitment and energy to the organisation. He takes up the position on March 30th.