Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Lawless has raised this same issue. I am aware of it because Deputy Lawless spoke to me about this. A very unsatisfactory situation has emerged here. I learned about it post the acquisition of the land. It is a pity the State did not get control of it from day one. It is very important that all options be examined now. The fundamental objective has to be to restore the access of the general public to these lands. We live in a society and in a community and there is a public interest involved here that, irrespective of private property rights and so on, has to be taken on board by private landowners, particularly where there has been an established right of access for decades.

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