Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:2401. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans for an updated strategy for outdoor recreation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34385/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 July 2018
Ceisteanna (2401)
Freagraí scríofa
As part of previous Government initiatives in relation to outdoor recreation, Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) was established in February 2004 with a primary focus on the areas of:
- access to the countryside,
- developing a countryside code, and
- developing a countryside recreation strategy.
The National Countryside Recreation Strategy was published by Comhairle na Tuaithe in 2006.
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. The review made a number of proposals in relation to new structures for an Outdoor Recreation Council and suggested that a new Countryside Recreation Strategy was required which encompasses and represents all of the various stakeholders.
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.
My officials presented initial proposals to the Comhairle members on 16th May and, through my officials, I received detailed feedback from the members on those proposals. I am currently considering that feedback in the context of a wider focus on the development of the rural recreation sector. I will make a final decision regarding the future operation of Comhairle na Tuaithe shortly.
I anticipate that the members of Comhairle will consider the development of an updated strategy for outdoor countryside recreation as part of its future work.