IFA Rejects Galway County Councillors’ Support for Use of Cpo Powers for Galway-dublin Greenway

IFA Environment & Rural Affairs Chairman Harold Kingston has strongly criticised the members of Galway County Council who failed to support a motion at a recent council meeting, which called for the withdrawal of the threat of compulsory purchase of lands for the construction of a cycle track across farmers’ lands.

Harold Kingston said, “IFA held a number of well-attended meetings in Loughrea and Oranmore in recent weeks. At these meetings, councillors very strongly supported farmers who did not want the use of CPO powers for non-critical infrastructure, such as cycle tracks. It is unbelievable now to find out that these same councillors have not supported this position in the council chamber”.

IFA Galway County Chairman Pat Murphy has called on all county councillors to honour commitments given to farmers and to pass a clear motion at the next council meeting removing the threat of a CPO. “This is a property rights issue. Will the council want to take farmers’ lands for a walkway next? It is about time councillors started listening and engaging genuinely. This greenway will only happen on a voluntary basis, with farmers’ support.”

IFA Connacht Chairman Tom Turley has called on all landowners in Galway, Roscommon and Westmeath along the route to attend a specially-convened meeting in the Shearwater Hotel in Ballinasloe, next Tuesday night, 10th February at 8pm. “This is an important meeting at which IFA will step up its support for landowners affected and build on the ongoing campaign.”