After days of controversy at the organisation the President of the Irish Farmers Association has announced his resignation. 

Tonight it was revealed that the former General Secretary Pat Smith agreed a severance package totaling two million euro, when he resigned from the body last week. 

While on Monday night the President Eddie Downey said he would step back to allow a review of the situation to be carried out, however tonight Mr Downey said he would resign with immediate effect after 25 years of working in the association. 

In a statement he says he's made the decision in the interests of allowing economist Con Lucey conduct that review. 

News Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal Patrick Donohoe  says the speed of developments has been surprising: