Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to ask a question about rural recreation. I cannot let it go. I notice that Comhairle na Tuaithe had just one meeting last year. A report has been done on it. It is meant to be revised, upgraded or updated. When it was set up, the main issue was access to the hills. Two pilot projects that have been in place since 2009 or 2010 were meant to indicate whether the needs of hill walkers would be satisfied if enough hills were opened in a structured and organised way. There is no need to open all the hills. If 60% or 70% of hills are open, and if people knew which hills are open, car parks can be created and gates and stiles can be provided so that there is no need to go over fences. When does the Minister think he can get the liability or insurance issue, which has been the big hold-up in this regard, put to bed? It is only a contingency issue. The Supreme Court has ruled again and again that there is no liability if one slips on a rock on a mountain. The only risk to farmers in such circumstances, bearing in mind that their farming needs would be covered, is not the liability - it is the possibility of them being taken to court and having to spend lots of money defending themselves against cases that cannot be won. Will the Minister give us some date for the finalisation of the access issue so that all the walking does not have to be concentrated on a few paths, which can lead to hills being worn down? There needs to be wide access. We can say "good luck" to those who do not want their hills to be open because that is their right. I believe the vast majority of farming communities actually want hills to be open because they know it is a huge advantage for their families, communities, local GAA teams and all the rest.

My second question relates to the walks scheme, which again is in suspended animation. Greenways are different. When we talk about greenways, we revert to the old question of whether the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport is going to try to dump this responsibility on the Minister for Rural and Community Development. If they gave it to the Minister, and the money with it, I would be very happy.

If it retained control and the Minister's Department ended up handling greenways out of frustration, however, it would be unsatisfactory. The Minister has the walks scheme. Will he be able to extend it this year and start paying people to maintain walks? I am not referring to greenways, which have tarmacadam, but the ones across moorland and so on. The scheme is popular with farmers, provides a great service and is win-win all the way.