Former IFA President Eddie Downey says he was following a "legal process" when he signed off on Pat Smith's €2 million severance package.

Mr Downey says he only became aware of the full remuneration package Mr Smith had been receiving on November 19 and he acted on that information within hours.

The Executive Board is facing calls to stand down amid the scandal over pay.

In an interview with Newstalk's Pat Kenny show Eddie Downey said he was very angry to learn to details of Mr Smith pay deal, but he was restricted in the actions he could take by employment law:

"There is a court case pending on this and the IFA say they are going to take Pat Smith to court. I am happy that they do. I would applaud the day if they don't have to pay a penny on this, because I think it is unnecessary, but I had to be guided by a legal process."

Proper prodedures

Eddie Downey said the controversy came to light when he pursued the establishment of a remuneration committee.

Talking about the difficulties he encountered in trying to get that structure in place Mr Downey refused to say who had obstructed him. But he did say: "We are the ones who called stop."

"I was determined to get the proper procedures in place, and they are in place now. By the end of my time they were in place."

Mr Downey told Newstalk.com:

"I have a reputation to protect. I feel I have made mistakes... but I want to put the record straight. I want people to know that I acted honourably."

Downey said it was an honour to represent Irish farmers and he would still go for that job today.

A shocked Eddie Downey still seemed puzzled by the discoveries he made about Pat Smith's salary package asking: "An open ended contract - how did he get that?", before quickly adding that those questions were not for him to answer.

Honour and wisdom

He said he regretted not listening to "certain people at certain times" and maybe did not take the "wise council" that was offered to him.

Eddie Downey confirmed that he himself was on an annual salary of almost €200,000, for his combined IFA and FBD roles.

You can listen to part of Eddie Downey's interview with Newstalk's Pat Kenny show here (presented today by Shane Coleman): 

Eddie Downey said he will not endorse any candidate in the upcoming race for the Presidency of the association, instead he said he will support whoever is appointed.