PROTESTERS GATHERED in the grounds of the Department of Defence yesterday to voice their dissatisfaction with the sourcing of poultry for the Defence Forces from suppliers based in Northern Ireland who are not quality assured.
Security officers outside the Dublin building were caught unaware as up to 40 poultry breeders entered the grounds armed with placards and prepacked chickens in an effort to persuade the department to stop buying poultry from businesses outside the Republic not accredited under the Bord Bia quality assurance scheme.
Speaking at the protest, Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) deputy president Derek Deane said the outsourcing of chicken for the Defence Forces was “an absolute scandal” and called on Minister for Defence Willie O’Dea to “do his patriotic duty by sourcing the chicken from Republic of Ireland growers”.
Soon after arriving at the premises, the protesting group was greeted by Department of Defence general secretary Michael Howard, who invited Mr Deane along with IFA poultry chairman Ned Morrissey and IFA poultry committee executive secretary Amii Cahill inside the building to discuss the issue.
Speaking after the impromptu meeting, Mr Deane said he has been promised a further discussion with Mr O’Dea next week.