Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Transport if the use of compulsory purchase orders powers has increased since the advice of the Minister for Finance to Departments on this matter in 2005; the details of the increase; if he has secured faster release of lands and a more cost effective price for all forms of public infrastructure; and the savings secured. [6137/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The agencies under the aegis of my Department seek all appropriate mechanisms to secure the acquisition of lands and property associated with infrastructure projects at the earliest possible dates in order to achieve cost effective prices. Compulsory purchase powers are included in all statutory approvals processes in relation to road and rail construction and the implementing agencies make use of these powers whenever necessary. The number of statutory approval processes for transport projects has grown over the last two years because of the increased investment under Transport 21.

The amount paid for individual plots of land or property is a matter for negotiation, and, ultimately, in the absence of agreement, can be determined by referral to the Land Values Reference Committee of the High Court, for the appointment of a property arbitrator, who will convene a hearing into the matter and issue a binding award to the local authority and claimant. This situation has not changed since 2005.