asked the Minister for Local Government if he will consider introducing legislation which will ensure that there will be public access to all beaches without payment of a toll to land owners.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Access to Beaches.
104.
I do not consider that further legislation to deal with this matter is required. Planning authorities have very wide powers under the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, to create new public rights of way, by agreement or compulsorily, and these powers can be invoked in any case where it appears to be desirable to provide a public right of way to a beach over private lands.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that, while toll owners have been bought out in the Six Counties, these rights have been created in this country at places like Brittas Bay?
I know that the planning authority have power to prevent the closure of rights-of-way and, if they are closed, to remove any obstruction. They have further powers to create new rights-of-way or new means of access to beaches. This is a power the local authorities can use and I hope they will use it.
The Wicklow county manager did his best in Brittas Bay but he was not entirely successful. The action by Sinn Féin was more successful.