Dan Boyle (Cork South Central, Green Party)

It could be a question of terminology, but it seems that when the Minister says "access", they say "upkeep and maintenance". As has been subsequently reported in the media, the reality is that the expectation now exists for the Government to provide an annual payment towards landowners for the use of these particular walkways. Unless the Minister can publish clear criteria on how the money will be made available and for what purposes, we can only presume that this is the nature of the discussions he has been having with the farming organisations.

In a radio interview subsequent to the meeting, the IFA president talked about a cost per metre of walkway. He stated that the agreement being reached depended on the length of each walkway and such a cost was being agreed with the Department. To what extent is maintenance needed on these walkways? Can he give examples where maintenance is needed? The walkers and tourists who use such walkways are attracted to them because they are as undeveloped as possible. Unless the Minister is referring to work that needs to be done to cover health and safety regulations, the upkeep and maintenance of many of these would be too minimal to justify an ongoing payment.

Media outlets have reported that this could cost the taxpayer €15 million on an ongoing basis. Does the Minister envisage such costs? If so, why would they be paid on an ongoing basis if the upkeep and maintenance needed on these routes are minimal?

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