Eddie Downey: I'd love it if IFA don't have to pay Pat Smith a penny
Former IFA President Eddie Downey has said he was following a "legal process" when he approved Pat Smith's €2m severance package.
Mr Downey said he only became aware of the full remuneration package of Mr Smith on November 19, and he acted on that information within hours.
The Executive board is facing calls to stand down amid the pay scandal.
Downey said that he was bound by a legal process when he signed off on the package - but he is hoping that the IFA will not have to pay out.
"It was a very angry moment for me to have to do this, very sad for me to have to do this," he told Shane Coleman on Newstalk's Pat Kenny Show.
"But look - there's a lot of issues in there, there's a court case pending on this, and the IFA is going to take Pat Smith to court.
"I'm happy that they do, and I would love it, and I would applaud the day is they don't have to pay a penny on this, because I think it’s unnecessary.
"But I had to be guided by a legal process."
