It is reported the former General Secretary of the Irish Farmers Association agreed a severance package totalling €2m, when he resigned form the body last week.

The Irish Farmers Journal says the news has been confirmed an emergency meeting of the IFA executive in Dublin this evening.

It is understood the association will contest the agreement in court.

Journalist with the Irish Farmers Journal Pat O'Toole has the details.

"It has just been revealed that Pat Smith last Thursday when he tendered his resignation was given a severance package totalling €2m, it consisted of €1m up front and €100,000 payment every year for ten years.

"To put that in context, that severance payment every year for ten years would be four times the average farm income."