IFA holds public discussion on multi-million road and rail projects in Limerick
A PUBLIC meeting organised by Limerick IFA heard that CIE and TII “must implement proper agreements with IFA to ensure that farmers are treated fairly and covered by an open and transparent infrastructure code of practice”.
Limerick IFA held the informative discussion in the Woodlands House Hotel on July 12 to discuss two multi-million infrastructure projects in the county.
The Foynes to Limerick railway line, which closed in 2001, is being reopened with a major refurbishment of the railway line and fencing.
Secondly, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is tasked with building a new Limerick to Foynes road, including a bypass of Adare. The total spend between the two is slightly over €0.5 billion.
Limerick IFA chair Sean Lavery said both TII and CIE were invited in good time to attend this combined information session for the many farmers involved.
“Some farmers are impacted by both projects. Limerick IFA is very disappointed that both TII and CIE declined to attend. It is especially so as both are public bodies spending public money on public projects impacting many farmers.
“TII and CIE are spending public money on public projects and need to engage with stakeholders in a transparent way. Farmers are a significant stakeholder in the delivery of both projects and must be treated with respect,” said Mr Lavery.
The Limerick IFA chair said it is not good enough to say that they will deal with farmers on a one-to-one basis.
“Individual farmers may feel pressurised to agree to something not in their best interest in their own farmyard. By not attending this meeting in Adare TII and CIE are dealing in a self-serving way and are not acknowledging farmer stakeholders’ requirements for best advice,” said Mr Lavery.
The meeting drew a crowd of over 100 people and such was the interest that the last 20 attendees had to stand at the side and in the hallway.
Presentations were made by Kevin Kinsella, of Agspace, on progress on the projects to date and what happens next.
Paul O’Brien, IFA’s environment chair gave an update on the negotiations with TII and the lack of a Roads Co-operation Agreement with IFA.
Richard Rea, of Rea Group Agri and Farm Business Consultants gave an insight into preparing a farmer’s compensation claim and negotiations with TII/Limerick County Council.
Questions from the floor expressed concern that individual farmers felt isolated and exposed when TII and CIE representatives arrived in their yards requesting access for works etc.
“They have not been advised of their rights and in some cases, they feel they have no choice. The advice from the top table was to always take time to consider their options and seek independent professional advice from solicitors, agricultural consultants/valuers and accountants.
“It was agreed that at a bare minimum that CIE should implement a code of practice like the one currently in place with ESB/Eirgrid. This agreement provides for a structured process to agree access and resolve difficulties that inevitably arise,” said Mr Lavery.
Much of the meeting was devoted to the new road project which will have a major impact on over 100 land owners.
“They were very worried about the impact on their farm operations and the impact during construction. The lack of a roads agreement with IFA and the protections that it provides for landowners was discussed at length. Individual scenarios were discussed, and some advice given,” said the Limerick IFA chair.
IFA's environment chair Mr O’Brien said that they remained available to sit down with both CIE and TII to progress a meaningful agreement.
He added that TII and Limerick City and County Council had “given commitments to the IFA that any new agreement will apply to the Foynes-Limerick road and this must be honoured in full”.
The loudest cheer on the night was for one farmer who suggested that when the forthcoming notices to treat are issued they should be refused/burned and access to lands denied in the absence of a new and improved agreement. The notice to treat is the exercise of the compulsory purchase powers.
One concrete action agreed at the meeting was that the newly -elected Mayor Gerald Mitchell agreed to propose a motion at the next council meeting requesting TII to renew a new and improved roads co-operation agreement with IFA.