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Irish Independent
Saturday September 29th 2001
Patsy McArdle
AN IFA leader and candidate for the presidency of the association has rejected a call on farmers to allow site work to continue for new road networks around the country.
The IFA is currently in the 12th week of a nationwide dispute with the Government and the National Roads Authority over compensation to farmers on compulsory purchase of land required for building new routes.
Farmers have prevented engineers and road-building machines from entering their property since the dispute began.
IFA National Treasurer John Boylan, who is a contender for the presidency, said yesterday he could not accept a call by councillors in Monaghan to allow engineers on farm property while the dispute continued.
Mr Boylan blamed the Government for "dragging its heels" in the negotiations.
"The only way to keep the Government at the table is to make sure that nothing happens," he added.
Mr Boylan said it appeared that Government officials had "gone on holidays" while negotiations with senior IFA personnel continued.
He claimed "junior players" had been sent in to negotiate. "I do not believe there is a vast gap to be crossed in resolving the dispute, but farmers are entitled to market value for their property," he added.
Sinn Fein councillor Owen Smith claimed the dispute was delaying three major bypass projects in Co Monaghan.
The Monaghan county engineer said council officials were very concerned about the stalemate. Losses in the county as a result of the impasse had come to £60,000 as a result of engineers being forced away from sites.
Copyright © Irish Independent 2001
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