"Europe to investigate unauthorised change of ownership of N8"

EUROPEAN Commission officials have agreed to investigate further the controversial change of both use and ownership of the 10 km N8 Watergrasshill Bypass.

A delegation of local people from Watergrasshill travelled to Brussels this week to present a petition on the matter with the European Commission on the invitation of Vice President of the Petitions Committee, Kathy Sinnott MEP for Munster.

Local man and petitioner Denis Dineen illustrated how, in 2006, 2.4km of public road, a section of the N8 Watergrasshill bypass, was confiscated under Public Private Partnership agreement to funnel drivers, who wish to bypass the village of Watergrasshill, into the toll.

"Users of this stretch of road have no option but to pay the toll; there is no turning back,” explained Mr. Dineen.

"In addition the private company have erected their own road signage, for example when they are doing maintenance on the road, cutting the grass or gritting the once public road. All this blatantly constitutes a change of ownership and use of the road."

Hosting MEP to the petition, Kathy Sinnott said that the road has been stolen from the people for private profit.

"This is unacceptable; this particular stretch of road belongs to the people as it is publically funded. Under EU law, within five years of EU money being spent on a European road, no change of use or ownership can be undertaken without the express permission of the EU in advance of the changes. It is clear that this has been violated as the Commission had no prior knowledge of granting permission for such a change when I contacted them in 2006."

In their response, the Commission revealed that they have carried out extensive dialogue with the Irish Government who denies that an unauthorised change of use and ownership has taken place. However, they admitted that there are still questions to be asked as evidence to the contrary was presented.

“I hold the Commission to account and ask them to pressurise the Irish Government and the NRA into explaining the issue fully. There are specific rules in place. The Commission needs to follow their own rules. This behaviour shows a pattern of disregard for the people and I invite the Commission to visit the area, travel this road and talk to the residents whose lives are being affected by this instead of accepting the word of the national authorities."

Following the hearing of this petition, the European Commission have informed the petitioners that they will be visiting the area but the date is still to be determined.