Last week I concluded a proposed final agreement with the Irish Farmers' Association aimed at resolving the issues surrounding access to farmland for the national roads programme. Authorisation for the proposed agreement is now being arranged by the IFA and the National Roads Authority.
The agreement provides local authorities with earlier and speedier access to land for the purposes of national road construction than is now possible under CPO procedures. This early access is a significant advantage for the national roads programme as design, investigation and acquisition are now carried out in parallel rather than sequentially as in the past. The IFA is pledged to build support for farmer co-operation in relation to access and the overall agreement. In return for this co-operation from landowners, the NRA or, as appropriate, local authorities, will pay a premium of 5,000 per acre in addition to assessed compensation; assess the market value of land by reference to the value of the actual land parcel on a stand alone basis rather than as part of the whole farm; provide replacement farm buildings and take over responsibility for fencing on all new national roads under the programme; pay compensation for damage and disturbance caused by site investigation works, including disturbance to livestock, crops, etc.; speed up administration of land acquisition with a view to earlier processing and payment of cases, with additional interest to be paid by local authorities or the NRA where deadlines are not met; prepare a code of practice containing guidance aimed at ensuring better liaison and communication with farmers affected; facilitate liaison with farmers in relation to the new agreement and work with a joint committee, which will also comprise farming interests, to oversee its implementation.
The estimated extra cost of the 5,000 premium is in the range of 100 million to 125 million spread over the period of the NDP. The agreement will extend solely to land acquired for the purposes of the NDP national roads programme. It will apply to land for which compensation has not already been determined and which is not the subject of planning permission or zoned for open space, commercial, residential, industrial or recreational purposes. The agreement is due to take effect from 10 December next and will operate under the framework of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.