CPO process 'an evil action', says Westmeath Senator

Westmeath Senator and Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on Agriculture, Paul Daly, has described the CPO process as “an evil action”. Senator Daly was speaking at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and Food Impact of Greenways, Railways and Roadways on Agriculture.

The Fianna Fáil man was a member of Westmeath County Council from 2008 to 2016 and served as chairperson in 2015-2016.

Senator Daly stated: “I am on record as saying land of ours was compulsorily purchased for the M6 between Kinnegad and Kilbeggan in 2008.

"I have no medical proof but I would be convinced it put my father in an early grave. A CPO is an evil action,” he told the committee.

He said the legal tool, which allows public authorities and statutory bodies to buy land or property without the owner’s consent for a project that serves the public good, is flawed

“There has been a lot of media stuff in the last couple of weeks talking about urban-rural divides. If your property is compulsorily purchased for a bus lane, greenway, motorway or road, it does not make any difference whether you are rural or urban.

"It does not make any difference to you whether it is necessary infrastructure or a recreational amenity. It is an evil act for anybody.

“The first time I heard the phrase ‘a court held in hell with the devil as a judge’ was at a public meeting about CPOs, arbitration and settlements.

"It has to be avoided wherever possible, but obviously there are situations where it cannot be,” he concluded.