Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2012
702 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason he withdrew the goodwill payment to landowners along the N86 between Dingle and Camp, County Kerry, which was in recognition of their co-operation and for allowing access; if he will reverse this decision as landowners were led to believe this payment was in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9522/12]
View answerIn the context of the current financial circumstances facing the country, I am seeking to get the best value for money from the limited amount of funding I have available to me.
The goodwill payment of €5,000 per acre was part of an Agreement concluded with the IFA relating to land acquisition. This Agreement was linked to the major national roads development programme initiated in 2000 and which has now been completed. As part of the comprehensive review of expenditure undertaken last year, I concluded that the continuation of this payment could not be justified. The budget for road maintenance and development will be very constrained in the short to medium term and it is essential to ensure that outputs for available resources are maximised. Where notices to treat have issued the goodwill payments will remain in place.
As the implementation of individual schemes is a matter for the NRA, I have referred the position on the N86 scheme to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
