A farming group today called on the Taoiseach to intervene in compensation dispute between the State and farmers over land required for road development.
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) sent a letter today seeking a meeting with Mr Bertie Ahern and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Dempsey, to resolve the dispute to accelerate road development.
The ICMSA and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) have refused to co-operate with the local authorities and the National Roads Authority (NRA) until the issue of compensation has been resolved. Members of both organisations have been advised to refuse access to surveyors and planners.
The ICMSA’s President Mr Pat O’Rourke today criticised the NRA for claiming farmers are standing in the way of plans to build motorways or upgrade national routes which could save 50 lives a year.
Mr O’Rourke called the claim "outrageous" and said Mr Dempsey needs to take control of the situation as the NRA are taking "a most unhealthy attitude".
Yesterday, the IFA called for a new agency to be set up in place of the NRA to deal with land acquisition for the national roads programme.
An IFA spokeswoman today told ireland.comthe Association is not against road development but wanted agreement on compensation for farmers to reflect the varying values and use of farm land.
Mr O’Rourke said: "We are not anxious to change the organisation (IFA), it not feasible at this stage, but a change in attitude and practice would be most helpful."
The ICMSA is waiting for a response from the Department for the Environment on a number of specific requests including compulsory purchase orders and a related code of practice and compensation so farmers would be paid development prices rather than agricultural prices for land.
The ICMSA is also seeking the appointment of a number of Agricultural Liasion Officers to work with farmers and construction companies on site.
The Department for the Environment said this evening it will not comment on the issue until negotiations have been completed.