Farm organisations have been involved in negotiations with Uisce Éireann.

The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) and the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association (ICMSA) have said that they have been involved in a negotiating process with Uisce Éireann on the 'Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region' for a number of months.

The process was undertaken with a view to agreeing a package that would be offered to landowners whose lands are on the proposed pipeline route.

According to the farm organisations, Uisce Éireann has sent an offer pack out to farmers on the route.

While the discussions between the negotiating teams have ended, the final outcome has yet to go before the governing bodies of both organisations for approval.

Prior to the negotiations commencing, both the IFA and ICMSA made it clear to Uisce Éireann that approval "would be sought and required".

In a joint statement released today (July 30), the farm organisations said that they advised Uisce Éireann that they would put the proposed agreement to the scheduled meeting of their respective governing bodies in early September.

According to the IFA and ICMSA, the compensation package and associated items will still be put to the governing bodies for approval at that point.

The organisations said that they are disappointed that Uisce Éireann chose to issue the offer pack to landowners in the absence of a final agreement with the the groups.

They claimed to have told Uisce Éireann that its September deadline for farmers to accept the offer is "far too premature", and suggest that the deadline is extended by a number of weeks.

Both organisations will issue a further update once the package has been brought in front of their respective governing bodies.

The IFA and the ICMSA have advised farmers on the route to take the time to read the package on offer, and consult with qualified advisors.

They said that farmers should "not feel pressured" by the communication from Uisce Éireann.