Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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589. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislation under which the National Roads Authority proposes to compulsory purchase order lands for the Dublin to Galway Greenway, as that land can only be purchased under CPO for critical infrastructure projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3404/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I understand that both the National Roads Authority and Westmeath County Council both received similar legal advice that the appropriate legislation to compulsorily purchase land required for the purpose of the Dublin to Galway Greenway from Athlone to Galway is section 213 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000. This section makes no reference to critical infrastructure but does to the Local Authority having the power "for the purposes of performing any of its functions".  

What is critical is the ability of the Government to protect the significant expenditure that will be incurred for the provision of this wonderful amenity between Dublin and Galway and the rights of cyclist and pedestrians to have permanent access to it for generations to come.