IFA has negotiated a new agreement with the ESB and EirGrid on overhead lines

IFA has negotiated a new agreement with the ESB and EirGrid regarding compensation and goodwill payments to landowners for the placing of new 110kV and 220kV overhead electric lines on their lands.

IFA President Tim Cullinan said the agreement provides farmers impacted by new 110/220kV electric lines on their lands with an option other than the arbitration route which can be time consuming, costly and uncertain.

However, the farmer’s statutory rights are fully protected. Even if they choose to accept the payments negotiated by IFA, they still have the option of going to arbitration.

“As part of this agreement, the ESB will continue to apply the ESB/IFA Code of Practice which is very important in terms of the rights of landowners and in respect of land damage and crop loss,” Mr Cullinan said.

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IFA’s negotiating team for each project comprises four farmers and a lead negotiator appointed by the IFA President. These teams have access to all necessary advice including legal advice and it has been agreed that ESB/EirGrid will contribute towards costs incurred by the IFA during the negotiations.
Two other negotiations are currently under way in relation to payments for infrastructure passing over forestry and the refurbishing and uprating of 110/220kv lines.