Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 414: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he has considered the implication of recent court cases over rights of way and the respective rights of ramblers and land owners to access the countryside; if he is considering any legislative or other measure to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17059/05]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As stated in last November's Dáil debate on the Private Member's Bill on this subject, my Department is not considering further legislation on public rights of way. The Planning and Development Act 2000 allows planning authorities to include objectives protecting rights of ways in their development plans. I consider that this is a reasonable approach which allows for planning authorities gradually to add to the rights of way listed in their development plans.

The Government believe that the issue of public access to the countryside is best dealt with through co-operation and consultation with landowners. In line with this approach, Comhairle na Tuaithe, the countryside recreation council, which is widely representative of countryside and outdoor interests, was established last year by the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in order to ensure that all those with an interest and concern for the sustainable development and management of recreational amenities in the Irish countryside are fully consulted on the future management of these amenities. The remit of the council is to develop and update as necessary a national countryside and outdoor recreation strategy; ensure that all means necessary are used to resolve conflicts that arise over access issues; raise awareness of the benefits to and responsibilities of recreational use of the countryside; and carry out research and training on related issues. I look forward to improvements in the promotion of public access to the countryside arising from the measures described above.