A Louth county councillor has called for the Dundalk to Carlingford Greenway plan to be scrapped in order "to protect local farmers".

Fine Gael councillor Paula Butterly said that the proposed greenway in the Cooley Peninsula should be shelved due to the "potential use of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs)" for the project.

“While CPOs might be necessary in certain situations, such as for critical infrastructure projects, a greenway certainly doesn't fall into that category,” she said.

The Dundalk Bay to Carlingford Lough Greenway, being developed by Louth County Council and Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), is currently at Phase 2 (options selection).

This phase seeks to investigate feasible route options with a view to establishing an emerging preferred route corridor.

Cllr Butterly said that the primary focus "should be on protecting the rights and livelihoods of our farmers and landowners, who are the backbone of our community".

"Recreational developments, while beneficial in their own right, cannot take precedence over the essential needs of those who rely on the land for their living," she added.

In August, over 300 farmers and landowners travelled to Louth County Council buildings to submit petitions and show their concerns about the proposed Carlingford to Dundalk Greenway.

Cllr Butterly said that she "stands firmly with the local community", adding that “those working the land do not want this greenway".

"It's crucial that we carefully consider the long-term implications and prioritise the needs of those who contribute so much to our society. We must listen to our farmers and respect their wishes," she said.

The councillor said that the greenway funds should be redirected towards upgrading the road from Ballymascanlon to Carlingford Road, including the addition of a dedicated cycle lane.

Cllr Butterly has also written Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan, demanding a review of the TII Code of Best Practice for National and Regional Greenways, in particular around the use of CPO for greenway development.

Meanwhile, Minister Ryan said he has been assured that engagement with landowners in the Cooley Peninsula "will continue to take place and remains a priority for the project team" involved in the greenway.

"I would encourage all landowners to engage with the project team on a constructive basis," he said.

The minister was responding to a parliamentary question from Independent Louth TD Peter Fitzpatrick who asked if the concerns of farmers would be considered when determining the emerging preferred route corridor.

Minister Ryan said that Louth County Council has primary responsibility for evaluating, planning and managing the project.

He said that a second public consultation period on feasible route options concluded on the September 6 with the project team 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," Minister Ryan said.

The minister added that "it is not possible at this stage to determine what the nature, scale, or extent of land acquisition might be".

He said that it is currently envisaged that a preferred route corridor may be published in the first half of 2025 when another public consultation will be held.