IFA backs Enfield farmers seeking fair CPO deal

IFA President Padraig Walshe met with farmers affected by the proposed R402 Enfield to Edenderry road development and told them the IFA will fully support farmers, from Enfield to Edenderry, who are seeking the introduction of a proper code of practice and procedures, which the Council must adhere to if they are going to compulsorily take farmers lands.

Mr Walshe said: “The proposed road development is to be welcomed in the area and will improve travelling times for the many commuters who use the road everyday. However, Kildare County Council must firstly agree a procedure for negotiation with farmers before they enter onto farmers' lands, take over the lands and build the road.”

Kildare IFA County Chairman Tom Malone, from Sallins, said: “There is a definite requirement for this road to be improved for the people of Kildare and North Offaly. It is both unacceptable and discriminatory by the council to exclude these farmers from a structured agreement similar to the IFA, NRA and Department of Environment National Roads Agreement, which landowners on the nearby M4 Kilcock to Kinnegad motorway have benefited from.”

Richard Holt, Chairman of the Edenderry to Enfield Roads Group, said: “Farmers will not allow their lands be trampled unless a process is put in place. It is only right and fair that farmers in this area should seek and be entitled to the same procedures and processes as those contained in the National Roads Agreement which neighbouring farmers on the M4 motorway have benefited from.”

Meanwhile, on other land issues regarding farmers, John O'Donnell, Chairman of the ICMSA Rural Development Committee, has warned farmers that while the proposed payments under the new Walkway Scheme are welcome, the details of the scheme - as set out so far - do absolutely nothing to protect the farmers' rights generally regarding access to their land.

Mr O'Donnell said that the new payments scheme would suit some farmers in certain areas but he pointed out that the whole question of property rights and liability was seemingly unresolved and “up in the air”.

“Farmers should not be lulled into a false sense of security by these statements. If we look closely at the payments, they require the farmers to do work on his or her land at a very low hourly rate.

“Furthermore, liability rests with the farmer as there is need for insurance to cover that liability.  ICMSA has looked very closely at this matter and we want farmers not to lose sight of the 'big picture'.

“The starting position remains the need for farmers' land rights to be fully protected and the full removal of liability from farmers with regard to access for recreational use,” said Mr O'Donnell.