Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

I take it from the Minister's reply that he was misquoted in the report in The Connacht Tribune of 11 February in which he is reported to have spoken to a Fianna Fáil cumman. I understand what the linguistic gymnastics in talking to such a gathering might involve and how it might be interpreted in such a way. Will the Minister state that the quote was not representative of his views or of any policy of the Government? While there are legitimate issues to be tackled in regard to the liability of landowners and how they can be protected in situations where the public is using recognised walkways, charging for the use of recognised walkways should not be on the table given the terms of Comhairle na Tuaithe to encourage greater use of such facilities for health and recreational purposes and for broadening the tourism potential of such activity, particularly in many isolated areas.

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