Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the position regarding the work of Comhairle na Tuaithe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22598/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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In February 2004, I established 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 regarding 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.

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

Comhairle na Tuaithe met on numerous occasions since its establishment and, in addition, each of the working groups met separately to progress key aspects of Comhairle's work. Their progress has been fed back to Comhairle na Tuaithe round table meetings on 4 October and 5 November 2004 and on 7 February, 7 March and 19 May 2005.

Late last year my Department, in association with Comhairle na Tuaithe, ran a national conference to promote and develop Comhairle's work. The main purpose of the event was to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders attending to share ideas on sustainable development and proper management of recreational amenities in the countryside. The feedback received that day is a valuable contribution towards the development of a national countryside recreation strategy.

Comhairle na Tuaithe has identified and reviewed a set of access parameters in the countryside. These could serve as a basis for conflict prevention and integrate a variety of needs and responsibilities. The Comhairle has also considered the key features necessary for countryside code development, with a focus on the potential application of the internationally recognised Leave No Trace initiative. I understand that Comhairle na Tuaithe is completing its initial consideration of these matters and will meet again in early July. I look forward to receiving its report subsequently.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will review the CLÁR areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22571/05]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will extend the CLÁR areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22572/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 51 together.

I introduced the CLÁR programme in October 2001 to address depopulation, as well as the decline in and lack of services in rural areas. Areas in 18 counties, with a population of 362,000, have been selected under the programme, including areas I announced in January 2003 in light of the 2002 population census data. This honoured the commitment to review in An Agreed Programme for Government. Areas included are those that suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 2002 with an average population loss of 50% and with an aggregate population now of over 4,000. The exception is the Cooley Peninsula, which was included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused there by foot and mouth disease.

There are no plans at this time for any further review of the boundary of CLÁR areas. I can also confirm that no other significant areas fulfil the population criteria for inclusion in CLÁR and I have examined this issue thoroughly.