Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 March 2021
274. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made in the past year to progress the mountain access scheme, which was first developed over ten years ago; if the issue of indemnifying the landholders involved has been resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16211/21]
View answerIn 2011, a Mountain Access Scheme to facilitate access to the uplands for recreational users was developed through Comhairle na Tuaithe. Two areas were selected to pilot the approach - one at Mount Gable in Connemara and the other in the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry.
Comhairle na Tuaithe went on to establish a Mountain Access Project Steering Group in 2014, which was tasked with reviewing progress on the pilots, developing signage for Mountain Access pilot areas, and examining issues around a National Indemnity Scheme for landowners.
In June 2019, a new mandate was presented to Comhairle na Tuaithe which reinforced and strengthens its advisory role in relation to the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland. A Working Group was established to make recommendations on membership and working arrangements to ensure that Comhairle could deliver effectively on its renewed mandate.
The Working Group proposed the establishment of a number of new Subgroups, including one to replace the Mountain Access Group, which had not been operational for some time.
At the most recent Comhairle na Tuaithe meeting in February 2021, Terms of Reference for a new Sustainable Uplands Recreation Subgroup was circulated and subsequently agreed. This Subgroup will focus, amongst other things, on reviewing the Mountain Access Programme and facilitating its expansion. It will also focus on enabling landowners to continue to allow access to recreational users by addressing issues which may be associated with recreational activity.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners in upland areas who allow access to their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and my Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as has been proposed would require legislative provision and that a number of separate pieces of legislation might need to be amended.
In light of the complexities involved, my officials have been considering alternative approaches, including an insurance solution, that might be available to address the matter as an interim measure. My Department is actively pursuing one of these options at the moment.
Regular updates on the indemnity issue are provided at meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe.
