ICMSA say citing public sector strike to justify delays in paying BISS and CRISS “stunning and totally inexplicable”

Responding to news of the postponement of BISS and CRISS payments to 27^th October, the ICMSA President, Denis Drennan, said the announcement this evening was “stunning and totally inexplicable”.   Mr. Drennan said that the unions concerned had given notice of the strike action at least three weeks ago and it beggared belief that all the preparatory work involved in making these desperately needed payments had not been accelerated to completion and ‘ready-to-go’ status.

“Thousands of farmers received their ANC a number of weeks ago, why can’t the BISS and CRISS thus be paid automatically?  Has someone refused to press a button?”, asked the ICMSA president.

“It’s just bizarre and unacceptable to expect us to believe that payments that were due this Friday were not ready-to-go and only required a button to be pressed.   Are we seriously expected to believe that the Department has somehow been taken by surprise by this strike action that was threatened months ago and officially notified three to four weeks ago?   What about the direct debits that were set up by the farmers to go in against those payments over next weekend?   What happens when they ‘bounce’ for lack of sufficient funds incurring charges and affecting credit ratings?”, he continued.

“Will other payments from other Departments be impacted?   Are farmers the only ones impacted?   Farmers deserve a proper explanation, and that has to move past vague generalities.  This is a massive blow for farmers; the Department’s treatment of farmers and the short notice is absolutely appalling.  The Minister bears responsibility and he needs to act immediately and get these payments out to the farmers who are literally waiting on them.”

Ends       13 October 2026

Denis Drennan,
President, ICMSA
Or
Cathal MacCarthy, 
ICMSA Press Office