Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not going very well and I am very disappointed. I was asked to chair a co-ordination group to do the greenways and I will not do it. I am not going to chair it if I do not have responsibility. We have the walks and trails within our Department but the greenways are staying with Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport. I am disappointed because I believe it should be co-ordinated by one Department only. I believe this is the right Department because we are good at talking to farmers. We have the walks scheme in place. We saw it handed over to the National Transport Authority or the National Roads Authority, as it was known then. What happened? Those responsible thought they could go in and walk over farmers, go in on their green land and put greenways in place. It did not work. It is not going to happen, Chairman. I am disappointed because I had thought I was going to get it, but it is not going to happen.