Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will address the question on the greenways. The Deputy is correct. If we do not have buy-in from landowners, then we have a problem. Previously, I was in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and we ran into difficulty in Galway. The project had to be suspended. I am not a believer in the CPO process if an alternative is possible. If we cannot get negotiation, we have a problem. There may be certain times when we may need to use that option, but I am not a believer in it. The best way forward is for communities to try to work this out for themselves.

I know I have said it already but the greenways have been one of the greatest successes, especially in towns in rural Ireland. They have given the likes of Newport, Mulranny and Achill a major lift in tourism because of the numbers of people coming in summer and winter. All I can say is that Kerry has a very good tourism product and this would add to it.