Published: Friday, 11th September, 2009 10:00am

Offaly farmers to protest at Government think-in

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Offaly farmers will be out in force next Monday to protest against the government, as Taoiseach Brian Cowen takes the party to Athlone for a two day "think-in".

It's crunch time for Taoiseach Brian Cowen as he and around 100 members of the parliamentary party meet in the Hodson Bay Hotel next Monday and Tuesday.

The gathering is expected to play a crucial part in the party leadership's attempts to chart a future for the government over the next 100 days.

However, anti-government protesters, farmers and those against the government's NAMA plan are expected to descend upon the Midlands' town to make their feelings known to the government. A strong garda presence is expected around the area for the party members' visit.

Offaly IFA Chairman Aidan Larkin confirmed that a "very big contingent" of local farmers is expected from early Monday morning. They're protesting against the REPs 4 cuts and the cuts in the farming sector proposed by An Bord Snip Nua (McCarthy Report). He said that farmers are very angry about the way they're been forced out of the industry. The farmers also suffered from the poor summer and flooding.

The next 100 days are crucial for the Taoiseach, as the NAMA legislation has just been finalised and the party is shifting focus between that and the imminent Lisbon Treaty referendum on October 2. As well as the headaches that are NAMA and Lisbon, this winter's budget is also expected to be a topic of discussion, with dire warnings that it will be this government's toughest yet. The McCarthey report and the Tax Commissioner's report will also be heady topics on the agenda.

As support for Fianna Fáil and indeed, Mr Cowen, dropped to an all-time low, local Offaly members are publicly backing the Taoiseach as leader and say he's the man to lead us out of the recession.