Taoiseach warns of trouble over CPO use in Greenway Projects
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) should “ease up on the spec” regarding the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) to acquire private land for the development of greenways across the country.
He warned that once a project enters the CPO process, “you’re in trouble in terms of any greenway,” and recognised that people want to retain the biodiversity and natural pathways, saying “we don't need super spec “ in his view or “intrusions on the landscape either.”
The Taoiseach was responding to concerns raised by Cork South-West TD Michael Collins during a Dáil debate on Wednesday afternoon. Deputy Collins urged the Taoiseach to stand with landowners nationwide and demand that TII drop the use of CPOs in any future Greenway negotiations.
Deputy Collins told the Dáil that this summer had been one of “discontent and serious upset” for farmers and landowners affected by the proposed Greenway between Cork and Kinsale.
Describing the CPO process as a “sword over the head”, Deputy Collins acknowledged that while CPOs can serve a purpose as a last resort for the development of infrastructure projects, he condemned their use in purchasing land from farmers and land owners for recreational purposes, branding this as “one step too far”.
Deputy Collins referred to the peaceful campaign against the use of CPOs in West Cork.
He said this had opened up similar nightmares for landowners across the country, who now face having their lands taken by TII through the use of CPOs for walkways that are also being planned in Mayo and Kerry.
In Mayo, the proposed Belclare to Murrisk Greenway has been a source of controversy since plans were first announced.
Under the current TII policy, funding for a Greenway requires that the local authority own the land that the project will be developed on. If farmers or landowners are unwilling to sell, the land can be acquired through a CPO.
At the most recent meeting of Mayo County Council, councillors warned that “there will be war” if any attempt is made to use CPOs to acquire land for the project.
Cllr Brendan Mulroy described the use of CPOs against Mayo farmers and landowners as “morally wrong,” stating that the only way the Greenway will pass through Belclare is through CPOs, as residents remain firmly opposed.
He said: “Bring on the war, because there will be war.”
His West-Mayo colleague, Cllr John O’Malley, agreed, calling the process of CPOs “immoral.”
He emphasised that for farmers, it’s not simply a matter of selling land. Cllr O’Malley highlighted the deep emotional and generational ties many farmers have to their land, warning that they will not give it up easily.
The Belclare to Murrisk Greenway is currently in the design and evaluation phase, with the final proposed route expected to be presented to local councillors for approval later this year.
The emerging preferred route, approximately 6km in length, runs from Belclare to Murrisk and forms a key extension of the Clew Bay Greenway.
Objectors to the proposed route have questioned why the walkway cannot instead be developed alongside the existing R335 road.
They say that this alternative route would involve less private land, would see the road get an upgrade and point out that it already has a cycleway.
This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.