Sir, - The assertion (The Irish Times, June 30th) that farmers affected by compulsory purchase orders prefer to settle by argument with the local authority rather than arbitration shows ignorance of the process.
The arbitrator is bound by legislation to set the land value pertaining at time of "notice to treat", i.e. the purchase date. This, for many farmers, including myself, was over two-and-a-half years before settlement. This value is obviously lower and does not accrue interest for the time delay. Added to this, the farmer may face the total cost of arbitration if he loses there.
The cost of land (including disturbance) for road-building purposes is a mere 3 per cent of the total road budget. Greed, indeed!
The article reminded me of the law that allowed Napoleon to buy farmland to march his armies through for the princely sum of one franc. He at least admitted to being a dictator. - Yours, etc.,
Denis A Brennan, Braganstown, Castlebellingham, Co Louth.