Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the implications for the hill walking tourism here following the recent High Court decision (details supplied). [9844/12]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Primary responsibility for tourism matters rests with my colleague, Mr. Leo Varadkar, TD, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. However, in the context of my responsibility for rural development, my Department has overall responsibility for the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy.

My Department will consider the implications of the High Court decision in question, when the judgment is available, in consultation as appropriate with the office of the Attorney General.

An Expert Group established to examine and make recommendations on "the Legal Issues of Land Access for Recreational Use" reported to the then Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht affairs in May 2007. It did not set out specific recommendations but examined existing legislation, such as the Occupiers Liability Act, 1995, and explored the implications of introducing legislation, such as granting a right of access to recreational users. The Minister formed the view that the best way forward was to develop permissive access with the agreement of landholders and the consensus approach adopted is underpinned by the principle of mutual respect between landowners and recreational users.

The report of the Expert Group is available on my Department's website. http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/Community/RuralDevelopment/FileDownLoad,27109,en.doc