€5m boost for Limerick farmers whose land is CPO-ed for €450m new route

THE NEW and improved National Roads Agreement negotiated by the IFA with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) will result in farmers affected by the Foynes to Limerick road and Adare bypass receiving an additional adjustment of €5m.

It provides for an additional fixed payment of €6,500 per acre in recognition of the co-operation and early access provided by the landowner. Some 800 acres will be lost to agriculture in the €450m Foynes to Limerick project.

The former contract expired at the end of 2021. The new agreement will apply to land compulsorily acquired for national road developments between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2027.

Outgoing IFA president Tim Cullinan said that having land subject to CPO for State infrastructural development was very disruptive, extremely stressful and unsettling for farm families. He said the agreement covers the compensation claim by landowners impacted by the CPO process.

“CPOs are provided for in law and while we might not like that, it is very important that farmers are at least compensated fairly and fully. An IFA team led by Paul O’Brien has been working on these negotiations for months and I am confident that the best possible agreement has been reached,” said Mr Cullinan.

Minister of State Niall Collins, who set down a parliamentary question on goodwill payments to landowners, welcomed the news.

“I have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure agreement was reached for landowners,” said Mr Collins. Limerick IFA chairman Sean Lavery has also been very prominent on the ground.

IFA national environment and rural affairs chairman Paul O’Brien said there are a number of key provisions in the agreement which are critically important for land owners.

“These include assessing the open market value of the land being acquired. This is done by reference and comparison to the size, location and quality of the land parcels that are part of the order. Account is also taken of the injurious affection, including damage to the viability of the farm business, severance and disturbance.

Hundreds of people carried out building works without planning permission

“Where farm buildings, fixtures and other structures are taken, the settlement will include the cost of replacing such farm buildings, fixtures and other structures with comparable new facilities for similar farming purposes,” said Mr O’Brien.

The agreement also provides a facility for an independent assessment of the compensation if a settlement agreement cannot be reached between the landowner and the local authority or TII, he said.

“Compensation will be paid for all damage and disturbance caused during site investigation works, including disturbance to farming activities, livestock and/or crops and full reinstatement shall be made to all lands damaged by site investigations as set out in a revised code of practice.

“A code of practice will be updated and continue to provide guidance aimed at ensuring good liaison and communication with farmers affected by land acquisition for national roads schemes. A project liaison officer for each major national primary road scheme will be appointed to liaise and engage with impacted farmers or their representatives, including in relation to the supervision of agreed accommodation works.

“TII and local authorities shall meet the reasonable and necessary costs to landowners affected by the compulsory acquisition of land for roads, of professional fees, including the cost of assessing and agreeing accommodation works,” said Mr O’Brien.

The local authorities will provide and maintain stock proof fencing on all new motorways, dual-carriageways and national roads provided on or over land to which the agreement applies, he said

“Having your land selected for compulsory purchase is a massive issue for any farmer. The IFA has worked hard to put an agreement in place to ensure that farmers are treated fairly in the process.

“For many that will be little compensation for the loss of their lands, which have been passed through the generations and is the basis of their livelihood. We believe this is a good agreement and we will continue to work with farmers on the ground to address any queries and to ensure that the acquiring authorities honour it in full,” concluded Mr O’Brien.