Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan believes fears of a land grab have re-emerged following Minister for the Environment, Eamon Ryan’s failure to rule out CPOs (compulsory purchase orders).
Deputy Nolan said she has written to the Minister, asking him to unequivocally commit to ruling out the use of CPOs with respect to the future implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Law.
The Independent TD was speaking after Minister Ryan failed to adopt a decisive stance on the matter after he was questioned on the issue during an interview on the Claire Byrne Show on RTE radio:
“It appears that what minister Ryan really wants under the guise of ‘reasonable flexibility’ is to maintain his options for a future state land grab of farming property,” said Deputy Nolan.
“He could have easily moved to allay farmers concerns but he chose not to and that is deeply alarming.
“We need Government to definitively adopt a position where compulsion is ruled out, otherwise all of this talk of bringing farmers along in a voluntary capacity is just meaningless and brutally disingenuous.
“I will also be seeking similar assurance from the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O Brien as he too is empowered to make Land Purchase Orders under section 55 of the Wildlife Act 1976.
“Farmers are sick to the back teeth of the mixed messages coming from Government. It is time we and they had absolute clarity on issues like these which are of fundamental importance to the future of the sector and food security,” concluded Deputy Nolan.
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