Photos: Vicky Comerford
Agriculture Number One branch of Fórsa held their annual conference on the 23rd & 24th October 2026 in the Ormonde Hotel in Kilkenny. The branch who represents all the technical officers who work for the Dept of Food, Agriculture and the Marine were delighted to welcome, the Leader of the Opposition, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald as their guest of honour to open the conference on Friday evening.
Agriculture Number One is a national branch with members right across the entire country who partake in the inspection of the many grants and schemes administered by the Dept to the agricultural sector in Ireland, while also performing vitals roles as guardians of the high standards and reputation of Irish agriculture both at home and on the international stage. The delegation from Sinn Fein also included Kathleen Funchion MEP for Ireland South and Natasha Newsome Drennan TD for Carlow-Kilkenny.
Deputy McDonald gave an eye-opening and interesting speech on the current cost of living crisis while Eamonn Donnelly Deputy General Secretary of Fórsa gave an update on the situation regarding the present pay talks.
