Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport, Michael Ring, yesterday announced the restoration of a roads goodwill payment, as part of an overall package of measures for landowners affected by road schemes. This follows detailed discussions between the Department of Transport, Tourism, and Sport, the Irish Farmers’ Association, and the National Roads Authority.
Minister Ring negotiated this deal on behalf of his Department. This announcement will result in more than €2.75 million being provided to landowners affected by the new N5 Westport to Turlough road. Minister Ring explained to the Mayo Advertiser yesterday. “The scheme was discontinued in 2011, but we have brought it back. It’s something I’ve been working on since November and we came to an agreement yesterday. The N5 scheme in Mayo will see landowners getting a payment of €5,000 per acre if they lose land due to the project. That’s the same as under the old scheme, but going into the future landowners will receive €3,000 per acre.”
Minister Ring added: “I am delighted on behalf of the Government to be in a position to restore the roads goodwill payment for farmers who have had lands compulsorily taken on this project. Discussions took place over a number of months and I am pleased that this matter reached a positive conclusion for the landowners.”
