Kilkenny TDs and farm reps unite in resignation call to Bord Bia chairman

Kilkenny TD Natasha Newsome Drennan, who is a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food, has said confidence in Bord Bia has been “shattered.”

The Sinn Féin representative was speaking following the announcement of the Sinn Féin Dáil motion to remove Larry Murrin as Chairperson of Bord Bia.

She said that ongoing controversies have damaged trust in the Bord Bia and now the Minister must act to restore that trust.

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“Confidence in Bord Bia is shattered. The ongoing controversy regarding Bord Bia has been dragging on now for over a week and the longer it goes on the more damage that is being done to Bord Bia and Ireland’s reputation on the global stage."

Deputy Newsome Drennan highlighted growing cross-party agreement on the issue, stating: “There is clear cross-party support for this action. Several Fianna Fáil TDs have publicly called for Larry Murrin to step down, including the party’s own Spokesperson on Agriculture, Deputy Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, who stated that Mr. Murrin’s position is ‘untenable, that he has lost the trust and confidence of the Irish farming community and, as a result, he must go.’’

“I strongly welcome this cross-party support, and I urge these Fianna Fáil TDs to follow through on their word and to vote to support our motion for the Minister to use his powers and remove Larry Murrin from Bord Bia.”

Deputy Newsome Drennan outlined the clear conflict of interest at the heart of the controversy.
“It’s clear for everyone to see that Larry Murrin must go. We cannot have double standards with Bord Bia promoting Irish beef around the world while the chairperson of the board is importing sub-standard Brazilian beef in his own company.”

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She expressed frustration with the Minister’s stance, saying: “It is just baffling to understand why the Minister is standing by Larry Murrin when it is obvious to everyone else that Mr. Murrin has lost the confidence of Irish farmers.
“Sinn Féin is bringing a motion before the Dáil calling on the Minister to remove Larry Murrin from his position as chairperson of Bord Bia.

“This will be an opportunity for the Minister to debate the issue and inform the Dáil of all the facts.
“The Minister suggested that there was not proper debate around the issue and people don’t know the facts. Our motion provides the platform to do exactly that.