Paul Connaughton (Galway East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to mention one issue regarding road schemes, particularly in County Galway, although I am sure it applies right across the country at the moment. Road realignment works are going on, which the Department is funding local authorities to carry out. I am aware of two cases in which the land was subject to a compulsory purchase order, CPO, and taken away from the landowners, yet no payment has been given out. Some people get paid while some do not; some people get contacted and some do not. There is a goodwill payment that people in some parts of the country seem to be getting while others are not.

Although it goes through the local authorities, it is the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport that is funding these projects. It seems to be that once the CPO is agreed and the landowner gives over the land, negotiations stop completely. I am trying to find out if the Department is aware of this and why there is not a strict, set timeline. At the end of the day, the landowners are doing their best to help the road realignment works. Funding is allocated from the Department to take care of this cost, yet there are certain situations in which no one has had any contact regarding the purchase of their land. This is all taxpayers' money. Is the Department aware of this, and what can it do to make sure there is a more streamlined process? If a CPO and a goodwill payment are agreed, people should actually get paid.