Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 25: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which he has progressed the debate on public access to rights of way. [16655/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2004, I established a countryside council called Comhairle na Tuaithe to address issues relating to waymarked ways and access. This decision followed consideration by the Rural-Agri-Tourism Advisory Group of a report presented by the Consultation Group on Access to Waymarked Ways. The establishment of a countryside council was the key recommendation of the report.

Comhairle na Tuaithe has the following aims: to ensure that all appropriate means are used to resolve conflicts that arise in relation to access issues and responsible enjoyment of the countryside; to ensure that all those with an interest and concern in the sustainable development and proper management of the recreational amenities of the countryside are fully consulted on their future management; to develop and update, as necessary, a national countryside recreation strategy; to raise awareness of the benefits to and responsibilities of recreational use of the countryside and to carry out research and training on related issues; to ensure that adequate funding is made available to allow the organisation to achieve these aims; and to examine the benefits and management of increased leisure use.

Comhairle na Tuaithe consists of representatives from the farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside and State bodies with an interest in the countryside. It has approached its work in the spirit of co-operation and through working groups which progress components of these aims.

In order to achieve its work programme, Comhairle na Tuaithe has established working groups to address specific required outputs. These groups are addressing: the examination of the issues surrounding access to the countryside; the development of a national countryside recreation strategy; and the development of a countryside code.

Comhairle na Tuaithe held a successful national conference to promote and develop its work, including the areas specifically outlined above. This event also served as an opportunity to progress the development of a countryside recreation strategy. There were approximately 200 attendees at the conference and the report of the conference has been published on the Department's website.

Comhairle na Tuaithe is continuing to meet regularly, facilitated by my Department, and hopes to have agreed a countryside code in the near future. Work is also ongoing in relation to the development of a national countryside recreation strategy. I look forward to receiving a report from Comhairle na Tuaithe which will report on matters in the near future. I will carefully consider any proposals which it may make to me.

As I have made clear on a number of occasions, I believe it is only through working together as a community on this issue and reaching an amicable agreement which accommodates all sides that these issues can best be addressed. We can then strengthen the positive image of rural Ireland, and crucially, further develop rural tourism.