Louth's Butler backs Greenway and asks campaign to allow all voices be heard

Cllr Marianne Butler has welcomed the decision by Louth County Council to provide individual responses to the 1800 submissions it received in relation to the Dundalk-Carlingford greenway, but has asked the Protect Cooley Peninsula group to now allow space for all voices to be heard.

“Let’s be clear, some mistakes were made by the Council in how they handled the initial phase of this consultation. Too many potential routes were shown and not enough information on the process was provided. It created genuine concern that CPOs would be used to “force” this project through” she acknowledged.

Cllr Butler continued: “But we also must consider the interests of Louth as a whole, our economy, the benefits of the Greenway to Dundalk, it’s role as part of a much larger national strategy, the needs of people with disabilities, and the significant number of people on the peninsula who want this but are afraid to say so.

"Many people in Cooley now work in leisure and tourism – this includes accommodation, restaurants, pubs, adventure tourism, trekking, cycling, sightseeing and related sectors which provide significant benefits and jobs to the local community. It is more than just a recreational amenity. It is strategic infrastructure."

“I’m also concerned that there have been some misunderstandings about the project. The use of CPOs to acquire land is very rare and used as a last resort when all other alternatives have been exhausted. The planning process goes to every conceivable length to use either state-owned land, or land provided voluntarily, with a range of payments, incentives, and fees to encourage this. Everyone wants a “zero CPO” greenway but it might not be possible in every case” she explained.

“In cases where public land is limited, the Council is supposed to focus on finding landowners who want greenways and to build routes around them. But we need to create a space where landowners who support a Greenway feel they can step forward, to reduce the need for CPOs."

Cllr Butler stressed: “We need to make this greenway happen in a way that gets the balance right between these different perspectives. We have a process to listen to these concerns, experts to help find solutions, and time to work through it. All I’m asking is that the protest group follow the process that was agreed with the major farming organisations to help balance these competing interests.

"This process was agreed by the Department of Transport in 2021 following almost two years of consultation with all the major farming organisations, including The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, the Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association and the Irish Farmers Association. This process was designed with farmers, for farmers, and has “consent” at its core. But the process can only work if people engage with it constructively and openly.” she said.

“I believe that in a democracy, you might be elected by some of the people, but you have a duty to represent all of them. It’s about the common good rather than vested interests or local lobby groups. On that basis, I can’t support flat-out opposition to the greenway. Politicians who support them unconditionally are neglecting the rest of their constituents and should be reminded of this.”

The Green Party councillor added: "But I would also like to see the Council engage in more one-to-one consultation at the farm gate and the doorstep, with the people who are likely to be most directly impacted. This is due to happen in the next phase of the project. However, I could understand if they might be reluctant to do so, given the current climate around this issue.

"All politicians have a responsibility to help create a space where everyone can have their say, and where the Council can do its job, not to inflame the situation further."