asked the Minister for Education if consideration will be given to the inclusion in the official Long Walks of Ireland of the old public way from Bangor Erris, Ballina to Newport, County Mayo through the Nephin Beg range; if any financial allocation will be available to have appropriate stopping points provided along the route; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - County Mayo Walking Routes.
59.
Responsibility for the development of walking routes rests with the long distance walking routes committee of Cospóir, the National Sports Council.
It is intended that the old public path (Bangor-Erris — Newport) through the Nephin Beg range will be included in the Western Way Long Distance Walking Route (Oughterard — Ballina). Stage one of the way (Oughterard — Westport is now nearing completion. Stage two (Westport — Ballina) will include the Nephin Beg path.
Cospóir's policy is not to provide shelters along the route but to encourage use of facilities in towns and villages close by. Experience in other countries has shown that such trail shelters may become a focus for vandalism and associated problems of litter and hygiene.