Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government, when dealing with tourism, on page 47 states: "We will work towards achieving the ambitious tourism policy goals set for 2025." In a beautiful area of west Cork, Castlefreke, near Rosscarbery, there is a vibrant community that has promoted tourism for many years. As the Taoiseach is probably aware, the community has been a top award winner in the national Tidy Towns competition and it promotes the area in many ways, including by providing stunning walkways through local Coillte lands. Now, however, the community has become aware that these lands may be offered for sale to a private individual, which would put public access to these walks at risk. I might add that the area has attracted walkers from all over the globe. It may also affect access to a local graveyard where locals have been buried for hundreds of years. Fáilte Ireland, Cork County Council, Leader and the EPA have funded grants for these walks down through the years. Tomorrow night the public of Castlefreke, Clonakilty, Rosscarbery and surrounding areas will hold a public meeting to save these walks. I call on the Taoiseach to request that Coillte keeps Castlefreke woods in public ownership.

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