As the Deputy is aware, an independent review of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the Countryside Recreation Strategy was carried out in 2016 to assess, inter alia, the current appropriateness and effectiveness of the body in an evolving outdoor recreation sector.
I met with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 13th February last to hear directly from them their views on the recommendations of the independent review, the future direction of Comhairle, and the development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland generally. The meeting was very constructive in helping me to formulate proposals for the future development of the sector.
I am currently finalising my policy proposals in the context of a wider focus on the development of the rural recreation sector and I intend to outline these proposals to Comhairle na Tuaithe in the coming weeks.