asked the Minister for Local Government whether legal power exists to prevent a land-owner from making a seasonal charge to visitors for permission to use a laneway which runs through his land to the seashore.
Written Answers. - Access to Seashore.
47.
If there is not a public right of way through the laneway, the landowner is legally entitled to make a charge for the use of his property. If a public right of way exists, such right may be enforced and it is not lawful to make a charge for its use.
On the general question of access to the seashore, I have indicated to the Deputy in reply to a previous Question that I am issuing a general advice to planning authorities regarding their functions and duties in relation to public facilities for access to beaches and other places of recreational resort including the steps which should be taken to preserve existing access rights and facilities and to develop new rights of access where necessary.