Mr Drennan said farmers contacting him about the upcoming referendum were expressing serious misgivings about the Government’s inability or unwillingness to present voters with a practical definition of a ‘durable relationship’.
He said that all types of scenarios were easily imagined where, in the absence of a strict and workable definition, estates could be undermined or even wiped out through legal contests brought by individuals against the estate of the deceased individual all based on ‘durable relationships’ with the deceased individual, with potentially the same constitutional standing as his or her marriage.
Drennan said that ICMSA was most concerned with viable and successful farm succession, but the questions were no less valid and pressing for any individual with an asset or property.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s largest farming organisation, the Irish Farmers Association, has confirmed it will not take a position on the upcoming family referendum.