FIFTY-FIVE Galway branches of the IFA will have their AGMs completed by the end of this week as Galway’s deputy presidential candidate, Pat Murphy, has made an appeal for every vote to county for him in the run-up to the national elections.

With Galway having 5,600 IFA members, a big turnout on ‘home turf’ for the Ardrahan farmer would represent a huge boost in his contest with Wexford candidate, Alice Doyle.

“My election team has put in a huge effort since the Ploughing Championships all across the country but a big election turnout in my home county of Galway and indeed all across the West would be a huge boost for me,” Pat Murphy told the Farming Tribune.

The IFA has over 70,000 members across the country but in this election – for the first time – members can avail of a postal voting option rather than having to attend their branch AGM to submit their ballots.

However, IFA officers and officials have urged members to opt for voting at their branch AGMs and to raise issues of importance to them on the farming scene.

Galway IFA Chair, Stephen Canavan and Regional Executive, Roy have both appealed to members to attend their local AGMs. “This is the forum where issues can be raised; questions can be asked; and information given out on a face-to-face basis,” said Roy O’Brien.

Stephen Canavan said that the local branch was at the very root of the association and a good turnout of people at the AGM would be a morale boost for all involved. “It means a lot of each branch if there is a strong turnout at the AGM,” he said.

There are 74 IFA branches in Galway and by last weekend, 27 of those had held their AGMs – by this coming weekend, just 19 out of the 74 branches will be left to complete their annual general meeting.

Pictured: Pat Murphy: ‘Every vote in West will be vital for me.’