IFA raises concerns over Dundalk–Carlingford Greenway plans

Following a recent visit to the Cooley Peninsula and meeting with local farmers IFA President Francie Gorman has said there is a lot of concern about the proposed Dundalk to Carlingford Greenway project planned by Louth County Council.

With a decision due, farmers in Cooley say they are worried that their farms maybe severed or have their lands subject to a Compulsory Purchase Order.

In a statement the IFA said they were "totally opposed to the use of CPOs for Greenways and also opposed to the severance of farms for such projects. It’s also very clear Louth County Council does not have the support of the local community for such measures.

"The Government Strategy is clear: ‘the preferred model for future Greenways is to use lands already in undisputed ownership or control of the State’. This Strategy is not being followed by Louth County Council or the Greenway consultants as they have already said there are no public lands on the route corridor options they are considering."

Francie Gorman said that he agreed with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin when he recently said in the Dáil that once a project enters the CPO process “you’re in trouble in terms of any Greenway” and he called on Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to “ease up on the spec” regarding the use of CPOs.

Louth IFA Chair Kevin Sweeney said that Louth County Council should take a step back and drop their plans for a Greenway on predominantly private lands that will, he claimed, rip through the heart of the Cooley Peninsula. He said the County Council is putting at risk the positive relationship developed between landowners and walkers on permissive access to mountain walks in the area over many years.

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“This proposal from Louth County Council has caused a lot of stress and disruption to farmers and the wider community on the Cooley peninsula. There are serious questions to be answered about the spending of taxpayers’ money on a project that is not in line with Government strategy and does not have the support of the community,” he said.

Francie Gorman said the IFA will fully support Louth IFA on the issue and stand with the farmers of Cooley in their opposition to CPOs and the severance of farms.