IFA has established a Roads' Project Team to assist the thousands of landowners affected by compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), due to the development of the new national road network in Ireland.

Jer Bergin is the Chairman of the IFA Roads Project Team, Chairman of the IFA N7 / N8 Portlaoise - Cullohill /Castletown scheme and former IFA National Livestock Committee vice-Chairman.  Jer is current vice-Chairman of Agri-Aware.

The IFA Roads Project Team has established a dedicated CPO Support Service.  This is an information and advisory service which is focused on achieving the best possible compensation package for property and landowners.

The cornerstone of this service is The National Roads Agreement negotiated by IFA, with the Government and the National Roads Authority (NRA).  The purpose of the National Roads Agreement is to provide defined timelines and procedures to assist landowners through the CPO process.

Some key parts of the IFA National Roads Agreement include:

• A Goodwill payment of €5,000 per acre  (no addition to the value of the land)
• Valuation of land based upon the open market value of the land parcel being acquired
• Damage to the viability of the farm businesses to be taken into account for the first time
• Compensation for the replacement cost of farm buildings with new facilities
• Professional fees to assess accommodation works paid for by Local Authorities
• Fencing on new national roads now the responsibility of Local Authorities
• New procedures come into force from the date the CPO is confirmed including -
  • Local Authority to issue notice to treat within 6 months
  • Landowner to submit compensation claim within 2 months
  • Local Authority to revert with full value offer within 2 months
  • Compensation payments to be made within 30 days, providing title to the land is in order.

Information

National Roads Agreement, click here.