'Decision to retain Larry Murrin as Chairperson of Bord Bia raises questions' - Sligo/Leitrim

Sligo/Leitrim Senator Nessa Cosgrove said that the decision to retain Larry Murrin as Chairperson of Bord Bia "raises questions about the judgement of Social Democrat TDs in supporting the Government on this issue. At a time when Irish farmers are under sustained pressure and fighting to remain competitive, they had a clear opportunity to stand with rural communities. Instead, they sided with the Government and voted to maintain the status quo.” 

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She continued: "We are not saying that Larry Murrin has done anything wrong personally, or that Bord Bia have done anything wrong as an institution. What we are saying, is as plain as the nose on your face; farmers and food producers have lost faith in Larry Murrin as Chair of Bord Bia, and it is time for him to step down, before they lose faith in Bord Bia altogether.” 

“Irish farmers deserve to have absolute confidence that the body tasked with promoting their produce is fully aligned with their interests. They no longer have that now, and last night, unbelievably, the Social Democrats rowed in behind the Government to keep an individual, whose private company imports Brazilian beef, in post. This sends entirely the wrong message to farmers who work hard to uphold Ireland’s reputation for quality and trust.” 

The Labour Party Senator added: “At a time when the whole world is becoming more aware of the insidious links that exist between money and privilege, between influential people in business and Government, we have to seriously think about how we appoint people into important Board positions in State and Semi-State companies. While crediting Larry Murrin personally for waiving the fee of €20,520 per year that he is entitled to for all the right reasons, we have to question whether this sets a dangerous precedence for the future.  

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She concluded: "While this will not be a popular thing to say, roles like the Chairpersonship of Bord Bia should be full-time positions and should be paid accordingly. By promoting individuals who can afford to fulfil a paid role for free, not only do we risk excluding ordinary working people, we risk importing corruption and cronyism. We are seeing the consequences of this kind of behaviour to our East and to our West.” 

“In my role as Labour Party spokesperson for Rural Development, I have no hesitation in standing alongside our small family farmers and Irish food producers. Bord Bia must be beyond reproach. Larry Murrin, as Chairperson of Bord Bia, has lost the confidence of farmers, and it is time for him to go.”