Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I apologise that I missed the presentation but I had a copy of the report in any event. First, the witnesses are very welcome. I live in rural east Galway and I would welcome any development that encourages people to get onto the trails and walkways, to be more aerobically fit and more healthy mentally and physically. Any investment like that is really needed. It behoves everyone who uses those trails and walks to do so in a responsible and sustainable way, as the witnesses mentioned in their report.

My concern, as always, which is fundamental wherever the trails or walkways are, is that landowner engagement is paramount. Where there are people who like to walk and are accompanied by dogs or otherwise, there is a constant fear on the part of the farmer to protect his livestock, particularly sheep. The damage caused to cattle or horses is not, I suppose, as substantial but in any event, some people feel, rightly or wrongly, that they can go where they like as often as they like with their dogs or otherwise. They may not be conscious that dogs have a way of frightening and threatening livestock, which can cause a real financial burden for the landowner with regard to insurance and all the stuff that goes with it. These are all genuine concerns that people have. No matter where there is a plan for it, or where there are public meetings or otherwise, the one thing that will come to the top of the agenda is the question of farmers' liability and where that goes. What happens if the farmer does not see any attack on or worrying of their livestock, and yet they have vets calling to tend to sheep that are miscarrying or otherwise? My question is on that and how that can be managed. At the end of the day, if a farmer is satisfied that things like his or her liabilities are being managed, you will get better buy-in right across rural Ireland.