Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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318. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to support a request by Kerry County Council to Transport Infrastructure Ireland to allocate a sustainability payment to the farmers and landowners along the south Kerry Greenway in recognition of their input to this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45413/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for overall policy and exchequer funding in relation to greenways. The planning, design and construction of individual National and Regional Greenways is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the relevant local authority.

A Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways was finalised in 2021 following the establishment and agreement of a subgroup with an independent Chairperson and relevant parties including TII, Westmeath County Council, the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and the Irish Farmers Association. The Code includes details relating to Greenway sustainability payments. These payments include provision for an ex-gratia payment and a separate early sign-on payment as well as the negotiated land acquisition/compensation payment that may be agreed between the landowner and the project promoter.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) are tasked with maintaining the Code of Practice in conjunction with their role as the agency responsible for funding the planning, design, and construction of individual National and Regional Greenways. Noting the above position, I would encourage Kerry County Council to engage directly with TII in relation to this matter.