Mr. Des Moore:

There was a suggestion that we would bring all functions under the one Department. To add to what Ms Moylette said about local development companies and the Minister’s plans in terms of putting people first and having an enhanced role for local authorities, our primary focus in recent years has been operating through 12 local development companies that employ 12 rural recreation officers. The majority of additional trail development and the development of recreational facilities has been funded by Fáilte Ireland. We need a national footprint for the delivery of the national countryside recreation strategy.

We would very much welcome the involvement of local authorities in the process in partnership with the local development companies. It has been clearly stated to us where that engagement currently takes place, that local authorities see the rural recreation officers and local development companies as significant actors on the stage in that issues exist between landowners and local authorities over previous planning applications that have been refused, compulsory rights of way, and other such issues. Rural recreation officers and local development companies are seen as honest brokers and a good buffer between the more formal structures of the local authority and private landowners. We would welcome the intervention of local authorities in terms of their capacity to develop by-laws and a legislative structure to address issues that impact in sensitive areas, such as the use of motorised vehicles, for example, scramblers and quads. Another issue on which we would welcome greater engagement with local authorities relates to signage from public roads.

Comhairle na Tuaithe works well. Ms Moylette referred to State agencies. We are currently meeting with the landholder State agencies. We have developed a draft national plan for the development of State lands and waters and it is currently being discussed with the agencies. We hope to conclude discussions on the draft plan early this year. We are reasonably happy with the structures, not alone those supported by the Department under Comhairle na Tuaithe, but we also work closely with the national trails office of the Irish Sports Council and we participate actively in the national trails advisory committee. Those structures bring most of the agencies together. The City and County Managers Association is represented at both of those structures. There is good capacity for engagement. As there are many specific actors on the stage it is difficult to get everyone together in the one room at any one time. Needless to say, we endeavour to get around those issues.