THE WEXFORD branch of the IFA were out in force with placards at Scarawalsh last week to highlight a dispute over lands ring-fenced under a compulsory purchase order for the Enniscorthy bypass.
Despite the fact that the land was fenced off last year and diggers have moved onto the land and begun work, the IFA and the Landowner Roads Group say that not only have the two farmers who own the land not yet been paid, but that a fee has not even been agreed for the purchase of the land by Wexford County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) which is the new name for the NRA.
Farmers from all over the locality gathered on the road at Scarawalsh to show their support for the two farmers – Mark and Gareth Browne – who say they just want to get the matter sorted as a matter of urgency.
Nicholas Sweetman who represents the Landowner Roads Group, set up to deal with compulsory purchases etc relating to the bypass, said that this matter should have been sorted long and ever ago and certainly before any work started.
“This is going on since 2010 and they still haven’t agreed a compulsory purchase with the council,” he said. “These men are not being treated fairly. They are seeking a little less than the average price that their neighbours are getting for their land. They can’t refuse to sell, but they haven’t agreed a price yet either.”
According to Mr Sweetman, work on the Enniscorthy bypass so far has been reasonably painless, but it has fallen down at this point.
“The council are blaming the TII, but the amount of money involved is well under the €500k, so in my view that would mean it’s under the remit of the council,” said Mr Sweetman. “Chairman of the Council Mr Tony Dempsey has made a good effort to get this sorted, but he hasn’t succeeded. It seems in this occasion like the tail is wagging the dog and the landowners here are being treated like a bit of mud on the end of that tail.”
“This is going on far too long,” said Vice Chairman of Wexford IFA James Kehoe, who was at the protest. “All these men want is a fair and average price. All that money is tied up and they no longer have use of the land. They’ve received on compensation from the TII or anyone. These men have the full support of the IFA and there will be further protests and measures taken if it isn’t sorted.”
Director of Services Eamonn Hore was quick to point out that of the 201 landowners effected by the Enniscorthy bypass, 195 have been fully sorted. He said that of the six remaining, three are road bed, meaning they are quite small, one has gone to independent arbitration, one is likely to go to independent arbitration and while their is some dispute in the final case, it is also likely that it will be put to an independent arbitrator.
“Unfortunately there are always a small handful of incidents like this on every scheme,” said Mr Hore. “Obviously everyone would like to see it solved without it going to arbitration, but that’s what it’s there for. I’m not too sure why there’s been a protest, as this type of thing wouldn’t be too unusual. The council and TII would have their valuers and the farmers would have theirs. In theory the next step is to send the matter to independent arbitration and work to the agreed formula between the IFA and TII.”
Members of Wexford IFA protesting at Scarawalsh last Tuesday.