Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I do not accept fully that one individual out of 20 will maintain a veto. The way this is bubbling from the ground up is that the vast majority of communities are now becoming involved in the whole walkways concept. They are coming to us having created walkways. These are rural communities, made up of farmers and others, coming forward with great ideas and driving the concept. That is the way to have it.

Three issues are coming forward constantly regarding legislation. These are the approach being taken by the ICMSA, that we must regularise the case of bare licence, which I understand is a common law provision. This approach maintains there should be a clear statement in law that no matter how often somebody walks across land, they get no proprietary rights.

Another approach is from the perspective of right to roam. This is similar to the cases of England and Scotland. We had very interesting discussions when I visited New Zealand two years ago in that regard. The scenario is not the same but that country has much private land adjacent to cities which is walked on. I have papers and discussion documents from those meetings, which were very helpful. The view expressed was that in their history, a right to roam law across private land would not solve anything. New Zealand is considered to be one of the best countries in the world in terms of rural recreation.

I am basically taking a twin-track approach. There are many ideas which everyone agrees upon and most rural communities wish to see rural recreation. We should get ahead in that regard. We have slowly and carefully been building up the consensus. I have an open mind about looking at legislative issues, without any indication at this stage as to where it might lead. My gut reaction from the very beginning has been that, in view of our history, a right to roam law as it is in England or Scotland will not work. I remain to be convinced it would lead us anywhere other than further acrimony.

On the other hand I have been clear about two other factors, which I wish to emphasise. If a significant amount of farmers would suddenly refuse people permission to walk the hills of Ireland, my view would probably change very fast. I have always maintained that view. I am working on the basis we can get a good, broad and voluntary agreement. I hope the rural recreation officers do much good in that regard.

I am not willing, on behalf of the State, to commit the State's money to right to access. I have stated that time and again and I will repeat it here in this House.

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