The construction of the 37-kilometre Nenagh-Limerick motorway as part of the new M7 route between Dublin and the south-west will split 51 agricultural holdings in a "major" way, a hearing by An Bord Pleanála in Limerick heard yesterday.
Without mitigation works, 12 farm families severely affected would be unable to continue farming. This was because the land needs for the motorway were of such a scale that the remainder of the holding would not form a viable unit, or because the severance of the holding would be of such a nature as to make the holding unworkable.
This was stated by Mr Philip Farrelly, of Philip Farrelly & Partners, agricultural consultants who were commissioned, by the planners, Limerick and North Tipperary County Councils, to assess the impact of the motorway on farms.
Mr Farrelly said there would be a major impact on another 14 holdings.
This would mean that the farm enterprise practised on these lands could not be continued without considerable management or operational changes, such as forcing the holder to change from dairying to drystock farming.
Mr Edward Nagle, a farm consultant representing 42 landowners, said the proposed motorway was unlike other similar routes developed in recent years. This was because there were no underpasses or overpasses incorporated in the plans to enable farmers have easy access to their lands.
This was "a total cop-out". He claimed many dairy farmers would be effectively "wiped out".
Mr Farrelly said he had no control over whether overpasses or underpasses were provided for severed holdings. That was a matter for the engineers working on the scheme.
His role was solely to assess the impact of the motorway on farmlands.
Mr James Macken SC, for the planners, said it was his understanding that it was up to the farmers' representatives to put their case to the board if the motorway was going to have a severe impact on farms.
Mr Séamus Ryan, a dairy farmer with 20 cows, from Annaholty, near Birdhill, said the motorway would put him completely out of business. This was disputed by Mr Farrelly, who contended that Mr Ryan could continue in farming, but with increased difficulties.
In total, the building of the motorway would directly impact on 132 land holdings, including 29 dairy farms.