NRA leaves farmers waiting

AN AGREEMENT between the National Roads Authority and the Irish Farmers Association that promised farmers would be paid promptly for any land purchased for road building needs to be reviewed.

Labour Party spokesperson Sean Sherlock made the call yesterday after the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture discussed the concerns of farmers with the NRA.

“Farmers are supposed to be paid within 30 days of reaching final agreement with the NRA, but all too often, this is being dragged out.

“We need to review the 2001 Agreement and see whether its provision can be put on a statutory footing,” he said.

Oireachtas Agriculture Committee chairman Johnny Brady said farmers are keen to support the NRA in its bid to improve roads but not at the expense of their livelihoods.

“The NRA agreed to compensate farmers subject to a compulsory purchase but the IFA has yet to receive any analysis of how many farmers have been paid within the agreed 30 days.

“The central issue appears to be that the NRA is a self-appointed valuer in the process and this can lead to unacceptable delays,” he said.