Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I am impressed by the progress made on this issue by the Minister and compliment him on the work that is being done. The Minister indicated that the ten walk managers will be located where there are clusters of walkways. What are the functions of these walk managers?

The issue of access to land was mentioned and I am concerned about access to sand dunes because I can see in my town, Tramore, that random access to dunes can lead to problems with erosion and so on. Are there any specific measures to be taken in this regard? I know the Minister is to meet Coillte Teoranta and Bord na Móna but are sand dunes and coastal walkways within the remit of what is being discussed here? Does the Minister have proposals in this regard?

I was astonished to learn from the Minister that only three surviving railway lines are usable. Are there other reasonably intact lines of which sections have been sold to adjoining landowners? Is there merit in considering whether it would be in the national interest to buy back such sections, where possible, to develop the type of infrastructure we are discussing? I have other questions but I will leave it at that.

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