Tag Archives: IFA chairman

CLARE IFA officers are planning to seek a meeting with Kepak representatives amid growing concern about whether their meat factory in Drumquin will re-open following its closure on February 14. IFA chairman, Tom Lane told the Clare Champion officers were keen to meet Kepak executives to question them about their future plans for the plant. Mr Lane said Kepak had some contracts with local beef finishers, which it was honouring by slaughtering their animals outside the county. “I would like to see Kepak re-open in Drumquin,” he said. Clare Beef Plan chairman, Joe Woulfe has expressed concern about the long delay in re-opening Kepak’s Drumquin plant. Mr Woulfe is worried that Kepak’s Clare plant may not re-open and has been informed that some equipment may have been transferred off site. He said management should have sat down with local farming representatives to work out a future for the plant. Last February, Kepak staff were told two days before its closure …

DONALD Trump may be a divisive figure but efforts must be made to protect the dunes of Doonbeg, while nearby farmlands remain “under threat” from flooding. William Hanrahan, IFA county chairman, told the monthly meeting of Clare County Council that flood protection is a major issue for the county, with the IFA “intensively” lobbying the OPW and government departments for funding to complete outstanding works. “In some areas, planning permission is required and IFA would urge Clare County Council to wholeheartedly support these projects, whether it is on the banks of the Shannon or the Atlantic coast,” he said. He recalled that after the major storms of 2014, “vast areas of farmland were covered with water”. “If they are covered for some time, the whole area turns black and production is non-existent.” Mr Hanrahan said that the land at the back of the dunes at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland in Doonbeg is “vulnerable”. “It’s over sea …