Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister for his reply. I welcome the funding that has been allocated and I acknowledge his commitment to finding a solution to this issue. I believe he genuinely wants to solve this problem.

Comhairle na Tuaithe is to be commended for its report. However, another group has been set up and I question whether we are back to square one and still stuck on the main issue. How long will it take to solve that problem? When does the Minister expect the expert group to report? Has he set a timeframe?

I acknowledge much work has been done and new walkways have been opened up, which are working well in some places. The Oldcastle development committee has developed some nice walks and many other groups are also doing so.

However, a fundamental problem exists. The Minister stated he does not agree with compensating farmers and I understand his view. Other organisations, such as the Irish Farmers Association, do not represent everybody but they are digging in their heels and saying "No" to access to land. There is still a principal problem, regardless of all the improvements and other bits and pieces which are going well and being sorted out. What are the Minister's views on a solution to provide some form of compensation or way of easing the pain and burden on landowners or farmers?

I would like to hear the Minister's view of a scheme which is used in foreign countries, a ski pass for those skiing in an area for a week or two. The pass is paid for by the skiers and allows them access to all the ski routes for that week. The revenue collected is used to administer the scheme and to pay compensation to landowners. A walker or tourist could be given a pass for a set period of time in a specified area. The money collected would provide a fund to develop the walks, cover insurance costs and to compensate farmers. This would provide an incentive to the community to promote their area as a walking area. More walkers would mean more money from the sale of passes which would benefit the community and contribute to the development of an area. Farmers and landowners will want to have walkers on their land because it will be worth their while both economically and socially. Could this scheme provide a solution? There must be some means of offering encouragement through incentives. I agree with the Minister that people have a right to walk on the land. However, regardless of all the good being achieved, we must find a solution.

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