Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 1

Written Answers - Tourism Promotion.

Paul Nicholas Gogarty

Question:

327 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if the agenda of the recently set up rural-agri-tourism advisory group will be widened to include all aspects of access, in view of the near crisis in rural tourism caused by increasing denial of access to the countryside for recreational users; and if provision will be made for representation of recreational users on the advisory group. [8672/03]

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

The rural-agri-tourism advisory group was established in February 2003 and its functions include: To identify and consider opportunities for the development of the rural/agri-tourism sector and related employment activity; to enable the bringing forward of coherent guidelines on the expenditure by Leader groups on the rural/agri-tourism measure; and to provide guidance on consistency of practice within Leader groups in relation to rural/agri-tourism issues. Membership of the group includes the farming organisations, rural organisations, the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism, the Irish Sports Council and tourism promotion groups. Membership reflects the views of recreational users of the countryside through the National Waymarked Ways Advisory Committee which represents the Irish Sports Council.

With regard to the question of outdoor recreation, the advisory group is currently focusing on the situation in relation to the waymarked ways. I addressed the inaugural meeting of the rural-agri-tourism advisory group and made clear my desire for a community-based solution to the issue of access to walkways. Following the inaug ural meeting officials from my Department are to meet with interested parties and draw up a discussion document on the issue of access to such walks in advance of the next meeting of the group. The various groups who have signalled an interest in the issue, including bodies representing recreational users of the countryside, will be invited to participate in the process.

Against this background, I am not convinced that it would be desirable at this juncture to extend the remit of the group to cover all aspects of access to the countryside. However, my Department will keep the matter under review and will consider the matter further when the issues in relation to waymarked ways have been resolved.