Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The mountain access scheme was initially rolled out in the period 2008 to 2010, after a long examination of this issue by Comhairle na Tuaithe. The foundation of the scheme was based on permission being given by the landholder and mutual respect between the hillwalkers and the landholder. In the initial phase of the scheme, two pilot areas were selected, Binn Shleibhe or Mount Gable i nDúiche Sheoigheach, the Joyce Country, and Carrauntoohill in Kerry. The concept was that the farmers would give agreement to allow hillwalkers walk above the line of the enclosed fields, in other words, out on the open mountain.

This was to be subject to a number of conditions. The first condition was that all the walkers would enter and egress at agreed points. The second condition was that through the rural social scheme, RSS, and the Department responsible for rural and community development, car parks and stiles were to be provided at the entrance and egress points so there would be no open gates. People would have to go over a stile and that was essential. On the third one, and bearing in mind what happened recently in Wicklow with the disgraceful behaviour of dog owners, all walkers were to adhere to the "leave no trace" code. That was vital. If walkers were on the hill, they had to respect the hill and the owners. The next point was that there was to be a rural recreation officer available locally to deal with any issues caused by walkers. Farmers were to be indemnified against any claim against them for public liability. In other words, if a person slipped on the mountain and tried to sue the farmer, which would be very unlikely, the farmer would be indemnified against that. Finally, clear maps of the area that was open for walking were to be agreed, including providing these on smartphone apps. This was to ensure everyone was clear on where they could walk.

For many years, the scheme lay dormant. I understand there has been progress in more recent times, but of course things have changed, even in the two pilot areas, and this was meant to have been rolled out nationally. There is a need for continuous consultation and agreement on the scheme with the farmers. They have to be central to all of this because it is their land.

I have heard concerns, which I hope the Minister of State will be able to allay, that in at least one area, the farmers involved in the pilot project do not feel they are in the loop as to whether it is intended to proceed with this scheme nor do they seem to be clear as to whether there is indemnity or what the conditions of that indemnity are. They have not seen any insurance policy. I also believe that for this to proceed we have to start from step one. We are talking about 15 years of a time lag at this stage. An rud a théann i bhfad, téann sé i bhfuaire. Tá sé sin thar a bheith fíor sa gcás seo. People who were gasúrs at the beginning of the scheme are now farmers. They feel that for any scheme to proceed, it has to be with their full, renewed consent. I hope the Minister of State will be able to clarify that we will get this once again based on the consent principle by the farmers and that the lack of openness that seems to be present at the moment would be dispelled. Without trust, this scheme does not work.

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