Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs when he expects Comhairle na Tuaithe to have completed the national countryside recreation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36927/05]

Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the details of the countryside code and the national countryside recreation strategy to be developed by Comhairle na Tuaithe; when this strategy will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36936/05]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 98: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the percentage of the increased expenditure announced in the Estimates 2006 for the national rural development scheme which will be spent on the national countryside recreation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36766/05]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 74, 77 and 98 together.

Comhairle na Tuaithe has agreed the key features necessary for a countryside code, with a focus on the potential application of the internationally-recognised Leave No Trace initiative. Details of the code are available in a booklet, which I launched in September of this year, and on my Department's website at www.pobail.ie.

An Comhairle is currently working on the development of a national countryside recreation strategy. The first phase in the development of the strategy involves consultation with interested parties. In this regard, it has invited submissions from interested individuals and groups. This invitation appeared in the national and provincial newspapers at the end of October and in addition Comhairle na Tuaithe wrote to groups representing recreational interests, State agencies and relevant Government Departments seeking their views. Comhairle na Tuaithe has requested that submissions should reach it by 7 December 2005. The work of drafting the countryside recreation strategy will proceed following examination of the submissions received.

While an agreed definition of countryside recreation will emerge as part of the development of the strategy the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe felt that a working definition would aid the consultation process and therefore agreed the following as an interim definition: countryside recreation applies to those sporting, recreational and holiday pursuits based on use of the resources of the countryside and which contribute to healthy active lifestyles. The term "countryside" includes land, water and air. The term "recreation" in this context applies to sporting and recreational activities, which operate in the countryside as defined above. It does not refer to sporting activities which take place in the countryside on confined courses or pitches specifically designed and constructed for those sports e.g. golf, football, show jumping etc.

I anticipate that Comhairle na Tuaithe will have completed its work on the national countryside recreation strategy during the first half of 2006.

As regards resources to support the work of the Comhairle, the rural social scheme will assist in this regard. Provision has been made in the 2006 Estimates for the employment of 2,500 participants on the scheme by early in the new year. Provision has also been made for capital expenditure on the scheme. Funding is also available under the area based rural development initiative for rural and agri-tourism.