Decision by Majority of County Councillors to Compulsorily Take Farmers Lands May Result in Greenway Project Not Going Ahead

Sean Brosnan, IFA’s Kerry County Chairman, has described the decision by the majority of Councillors at today’s (Monday 16th February) Council meeting to impose a CPO on farmers affected by the proposed greenway project “as a bad decision which may jeopardise the entire project”.

Mr Brosnan said, “There is widespread support amongst the farming community for this Greenway cycle project. However this is only based on working out a voluntary package of measures with all landowners affected”.

Farmers will now consider the next course of action. It is not right that farmer properties can be just taken over for a cycle track.

James McCarthy, IFA’s Munster Chairman again restated the six action points which must be implemented if the Greenway is to be successful and have community support: –

1. The threat of the heavy handed use of CPOs must be lifted.
2. A professional agronomist must be appointed by Kerry County Council to meet with each landowner to understand and resolve their concerns.
3. No farmer’s holding should be severed or divided to facilitate this Greenway project
4. Additional support must be put in place to assist landowners with title deed issues.
5. The community based model which has delivered over 2,000km of walkways voluntarily on farmers lands, must be applied.
6. The Council must hold community clinics to address queries and concerns.

IFA acknowledged the on-going support of the County Councillors who opposed the use of CPO powers at the Council meeting.

Proposed route of Greenway