Rights of Way Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2015

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Ceisteanna (576)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

576. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position whereby a lake or river of national importance is surrounded or bordered by land in private ownership and in that context, whether the right of access by members of the general public to the lakeshore can be restricted or circumscribed by the landowners concerned and the extent to which this will be enforced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

The majority of Ireland’s trails and walking routes are “permissive access routes” that have been developed with the agreement of private landowners, both public and private. This consensus approach is underpinned by the principle of mutual respect between landowners and recreation users, with the acceptance of the rights of landowners regarding access to their land and the need of recreation users to have reasonable access to the countryside.

Unless a public right of way exists, access to any lake or river which is surrounded or bordered by land in private ownership, is at the discretion of the landowner, and the extent to which access by members of the public to the features referred to in the Question is permitted, is within the control of the landowner.