Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
1064. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the date of all meetings that have been held of Comhairle na Tuaithe since March 2011; the number of these meetings he attended; the proposed date for the next meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37859/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1117. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the number of meetings held since its inception of Comhairle na Tuaithe; the date of each meeting; his attendance or otherwise at these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37866/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1118. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for the Environment; Community and Local Government the progress made by Comhairle na Tuaithe since March 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37867/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1064, 1117 and 1118 together.
From March 2011 to date, meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe were held on 5 October and 7 December 2011 and on 8 February and 4 April 2012. The next meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe is scheduled for 20 September 2012. All of these meetings to date have been chaired by my Department, and I have not been present at them.
Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) continuously supports and oversees the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and its associated schemes, programmes and activities. Since March 2011 progress has been made on a number of issues including the following.
Mountain Access
A Pilot Mountain Access scheme has been developed, Its purpose is to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities. Pilot schemes have been developed at Mount Gable in Connemara where 94 landowners are involved; a second pilot is under development in Carrauntoohil and the MacGillicuddy Reeks in Co. Kerry. This pilot is currently being expanded from an initial 8/10 landowners to approximately 150 landowners and will encompass an area of about 1002Km . An indemnity scheme for landowners is a requirement of this process.
Indemnity Scheme
A National Indemnity Scheme for Landowners to facilitate access to private lands for recreation and tourism purposes is currently under development in association with the State Claims Agency following approval by Comhairle Na Tuaithe.
Access Issues
An Access and Public Liability document which has been prepared through Comhairle na Tuaithe is currently with the Attorney General’s Office. I anticipate that this document will be available to the public in the coming weeks, to provide clarification to landowners and recreational users regarding access to private lands and the situation regarding public liability.
National Countryside Recreation Strategy
Comhairle na Tuaithe has agreed a list of the top ten priorities of the National Countryside Recreadion Strategy and partners have taken positions to support delivery of these agreed actions.
State Agencies
Through Comhairle na Tuaithe various state agencies with land holdings have come together to produce a draft National Outdoor Recreation Plan for Public Lands and Waters in Ireland. Together they have identified a vision, objectives and a common approach to managing, maintaining, facilitating and developing outdoor recreation opportunities on Ireland’s publicly owned lands. The draft plan has been prepared by the Department and those bodies that are public land and waterway owners or fishery owners, together with other organisations that set policy or support developments in outdoor recreation. When finalised it will form part of the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. I expect negotiations on the final version of the plan to be concluded shortly.
Walks Scheme
The Walks Scheme continues to be implemented and currently has 1,805 participants on over 40 trails; this includes 20 National Way Marked Ways and 20 Fáilte Ireland Looped Walks and other priority walks that traverse both public and private lands. These participant landowners received €1.91m in annual maintenance payments in 2011 to maintain these trails.
New Contracts with Local Development Companies
New Service Level Agreements have been signed with 12 Local Development Companies for the delivery of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy at county level and continuing implementation of the Walks Scheme and other appropriate schemes and actions to implement the priority objectives of the Strategy. These agreements have facilitated the continuation of the role of the Rural Recreation Officers to maintain their profile and the good work that has been acomplished to date.
I anticipate that Comhairle na Tuaithe and its constituent members and stakeholders will continue their work on the delivery of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy over the coming months. I would like to express my appreciation for work and commitment of the various stakeholders to date.
