Chaos in Galway council chamber as countermotion in support of Bord Bia chief branded ‘an abuse of process’
Heated exchanges broke out in the chamber of Galway County Council this week after a countermotion was tabled that effectively cancelled an earlier motion calling on Larry Murrin to step down as chairman of Irish food board Bord Bia.
Across the country, various local authorities have had motions tabled calling Mr Murrin’s resignation, and Galway County Councillor Sean Cunniffe of Independent Ireland attempted to bring that call to Galway’s February plenary meeting.
However, several councillors argued that removing Mr Murrin would neither resolve the challenges facing farmers nor put more money in their pockets.
That position led to a countermotion from Fine Gael councillor Jimmy McClearn, urging an examination of Bord Bia’s farm-inspection regime and an immediate “dialogue” between farmers, farming organisations, Bord Bia and the Agriculture Minister to “resolve the existing impasse”.
“This is required to protect farm incomes, the integrity of Bord Bia, the future of CAP negotiations, and their impact on communities. The current Bord Bia farm inspection regime also needs to be examined,” the countermotion stated.
Cllr Cunniffe insisted his original motion was not intended as a personal attack, but to safeguard the integrity of Irish food production.
“It’s not about a head on a plate; it’s about leadership and vision,” he said. “It’s putting somebody at the head of Bord Bia who has the principles of Irish farming at the forefront.”
Calls for increased dialogue between wider organisations like Bord Bia, farmers, farming companies, adn the agricultural minister were met with silent protest votes.
“Farmers want the quality of Irish meat to be the best of the world.”
The Common Agricultural Policy became a sticking point in the chamber discussion, given its significance as a financial lifeline for rural farmers. Fine Gael councillor Andrew Reddington challenged colleagues to “now try and vote against CAP”, given its necessary contributions to the farming economy.
Many councillors spoke not only as public representatives but also as consumers of Irish beef. While most agreed reform within Bord Bia was needed, there was no consensus on the best approach.
Councillor Noel Thomas argued it had become “incredibly clear that Larry Murrin’s position is untenable.” Having attended a meeting in Claremorris where calls for Mr Murrin’s removal accompanied demands for a review of Bord Bia, he said it was evident “no dialogue was happening in the first place.”
Others urged a broader perspective. Fianna Fáil Councillor Cillian Keane, who holds a degree in Agricultural Sciences from University College Dublin, argued that Bord Bia’s wider remit was being overlooked.
Highlighting the Quality Assurance Scheme, producer standards and the Origin Green initiative, he said: “Bord Bia is not solely about farmers, it’s about food protection. The fundamental question here is whether we believe in free trade.”
When Cllr McClearn’s amendment was read into the record, uproar followed, with Cllr Cunniffe branding it an “abuse of process”.
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Cllr Cunniffe and several colleagues disputed whether the amendment qualified as a true countermotion, given that it replaced a call for Mr Murrin’s removal with a broader proposal for institutional dialogue.
Explained by Galway Director of Services Michael Owens, under council standing orders, once a countermotion is passed by majority, the original motion is automatically scrapped. Despite strong objections, the vote proceeded.
Cllr Cunniffe became the first of several members to refuse to cast a vote when called. After having his name read out three times, council staff confirmed that they will be “taking silence as an abstention.”
Joining him were almost all Independent Ireland councillors, including Cllr Declan Geraghty, Cllr Declan Kelly, as well as Cllr Seamus Walsh and Cllr Noel Thomas, who said they “did not recognize what is going on here.”
Bord Bia chairman Larry Murrin appearing before the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture. Photo: PA
“I guess we can make up any motions we want,” Cllr Thomas added in the fray.
Earlier in February, Larry Murin’s seat was ultimately protected in a Dáil Éireann vote after Sinn Féin sought his removal.
That motion followed discoveries from the Irish Farmers’ Association that 1pc of beef used by Mr Murrin’s company had originated in Brazil, a sensitive issue given his role in promoting Irish beef abroad.
In the end, the countermotion carried with 24 votes, largely from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael councillors, wiping out the original proposal. Twelve councillors abstained.