Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I wish to raise a number of points. I live in County Wicklow and the National Waymarked Trails, the national trails strategy has worked very well. Much of the access to the open countryside has necessitated going through land that is privately owned or owned by Coillte but an issue that is now being aired is dogs roaming on the open hills on which there are existing rights. Deputy Ó Cuív referred to commonage. The practicality of commonage is under threat, unless the code of leave no trace is developed to include guidelines on dogs which are then implemented. In most cases there are other lands that are publicly owned that are more suitable for allowing dogs to be let off the leash. I know of an access route in Glenmalure that is heavily used with the full support of the landowner, but now at the weekends, he has to go out to look after his stock because of the threat that dogs pose to them. There seems to be a lack of awareness or an unwillingness to take that point on board by some members of the public. It is undoing a great deal of the good work that has been done since the years 1999-2000. Perhaps Ms Moylette will comment on that point.