IFA Reject CPOs on the Cliffs of Moher

IFA President Francie Gorman has strongly rejected proposals recommending that Clare County Council would use CPO (Compulsory Purchase Orders) powers as an option to confiscate private land from farmers on the famous Cliffs of Moher coastal walk.

Reacting to a draft report prepared for Clare County Council, which was reported in the media, the IFA President said, “Farmers are reading reports which state that Clare County Council has been advised to buy-out all 36 landowners who currently own sections of the Cliffs of Moher trail, using Compulsory Purchase Orders if necessary.”

“This is nothing short of an attempt to intimidate and bully the landowners and will be resisted outright. Many years ago landowners on the Cliffs of Moher agreed to allow a permissive walk through their lands and they are now being threatened with a CPO,” he said.

Former Clare IFA Chair Tom Lane, who has been leading negotiations on behalf of landowners, called on Clare County Council to immediately withdraw the CPO option and threat from the draft report.

“Instead, they should engage constructively with the farmers and the IFA so an appropriate and effective arrangement can be agreed on the Cliffs of Moher coastal walk which reflects the scale of up to 1.5m tourists and estimated revenue of €19m annually.”

He said the threat of CPOs has sent shock waves to landowners all over the country who have facilitated walkways in their local communities and benefited tourism.

“On the Cliffs of Moher, as a direct consequence of facilitating the walkway and making it a success through permissive access, landowners are facing the threat of a CPO. This is wrong and a complete abuse of power.”