Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent)
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66. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the concerns of County Louth farmers and members of an organisation (details supplied) that the proposed Carlingford to Dundalk Greenway project may see the council attempting to acquire a significant area of private farmland for the greenway; if these concerns are considered when determining the emerging preferred route corridor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36774/24]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to Greenways. The Department of Transport provides funding for regional and national greenways only. The planning, design and construction of individual Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. €72m was allocated to TII to support the Greenways programme in 2024.

The Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Lough Greenway is currently at Phase 2 (Options Selection) of the Transport Infrastructure Ireland Project Management Guidelines. The general purpose of Phase 2 is to appraise and interrogate feasible route options with a view to establishing an emerging preferred route corridor.

Louth County Council, through the appointed project team, and acting as Sponsoring Agency have primary responsibility for evaluating, planning and managing the project. This is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the ‘Infrastructure Guidelines’, the ‘Transport Appraisal Framework’, Transport Infrastructure Ireland publications, and other relevant documents such as for example the ‘Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways’.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the second public consultation period pertaining to Feasible Route Options concluded on the 6th September 2024; the purpose of this consultation period was to receive feedback from the public on the route corridor options. It is understood that the project team are currently working through submissions received. Information received where it is deemed to be relevant, will inform the appraisal process, sub-criteria pertaining to agricultural and non-agricultural property will form part of the wider appraisal process. State owned lands located within the study area will be utilised to the greatest extent possible thought my officials have advised that there are limited, suitable state owned lands in the study area.

It is not possible at this stage to determine what the nature, scale, or extent of land acquisition might be. It is currently envisaged that a preferred route corridor may be published in the first half of 2025. A Public Consultation will then be held to inform stakeholders of the preferred option. Project Liaison Officers (PLOs) and the Project Team will be available to provide input on the preferred option. The Public Consultation will enable stakeholders to provide feedback on the preferred route corridor.

I have been assured that engagement with the landowners will continue to take place and remains a priority for the project team. I would encourage all landowners to engage with the project team on a constructive basis.