INTERVIEWS ARE continuing to find the next holder of one of the most important jobs in Irish agriculture, the general secretary's job in the Irish Farmers' Association.
The post is being vacated early next year by Michael Berkery, who held the position for over 25 years and was at the political centre of farming politics in that time.
Interviews were being held over the Christmas period to find his replacement and it is understood nine people have been shortlisted from an application of more than 24 applicants.
The front-runner for the position had been Michael Treacy, who for many years ran the IFA's very successful Brussels bureau.
However, he indicated he would not be returning from Belgium to contest the post and this has meant a wide-open competition.
It is understood there were four shortlisted applicants from inside the IFA organisation and the remaining candidates are from across the business sector, including the media.
The interviews are expected to be completed early in the new year and the expectation is that the organisation will announce the name of its new general secretary at its agm in late January.