Kerry County Council to Consider Withdrawal of Threat of Cpo for Cycle Track Following IFA and South Kerry Development Partnership Meeting

Sean Brosnan, IFA’s Kerry County Chairman, has welcomed the decision by members of Kerry County Council to put forward a motion calling for the withdrawal of the threat of CPOs, and to instruct the Council to commence meaningful discussions with landowners and deliver voluntary agreements.

Mr Brosnan said, “This Greenway cycle track has the potential to be a real asset for the South Kerry area. However, farmers’ livelihoods cannot be negatively impacted by the proposed project. At a recent meeting, local landowners affected have spoken and they are resolute in their opposition to the use of CPOs. IFA, South Kerry Development Partnership and the members of Kerry County Council present at the meeting fully support this position.”

James McCarthy, IFA’s Munster Chairman has identified the following six action points, which must be implemented if the Greenway is to be successful and have community support:

1. The threat of the heavy handed use of CPOs must be lifted.
2. A professional agronomist must be appointed by Kerry County Council to meet with each landowner to understand and resolve their concerns.
3. No farmer’s holding should be severed or divided to facilitate this Greenway project
4. Additional support must be put in place to assist landowners with title deed issues.
5. The community based model which has delivered over 2,000km of walkways voluntarily on farmers lands, must be applied.
6. The Council must hold community clinics to address queries and concerns.

“Farmers are being asked to host this cycle track and therefore will continue to be impacted. It is only right and proper that respect is restored to this process and renewed effort is made to reach agreement”.