Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As far as I am aware, the elected representatives were invited and a number of them were there. The farmers were also invited and brought along their representatives. Where possible, the State is going to use public lands. We are going to use Coillte land and Bord na Móna land. The difficulty is particularly at the Galway end of it. Some 809 farmers are involved. Six officials from Galway County Council will call to every one of these farms and see if we can get agreement from the majority. I was glad to hear Deputy Naughten saying he is supportive of the greenways. I was very much involved in negotiations with farmers in my own county. The Deputy is, of course, right that we have to talk to farmers. We have to bring the farmers on board and accommodate them where possible. We have the process in place. It will take three months. Six officials from the county council will meet every landowner in the area to see what agreement we have before progressing this any further.

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