Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the work that has taken place since March 2011 to complete a memorandum of understanding between the State agencies and semi-state companies under the aegis of his Department in relation to the use of State lands for rural recreation, including hiking and biking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37240/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and the administration of the Walks Scheme, and works in co-operation with a number of State Agencies, Government Departments, Local Authorities and Local Development Companies to develop, and to support the development of, facilities for countryside recreation and activity tourism.

Outdoor recreation and activity tourism is an increasingly important area for state involvement and it delivers on a broad range of national objectives and programmes.

The State, through its State companies and agencies, owns a considerable area of land, including water resources, that have potential for either the expansion or development of recreation and activity tourism resources for use by citizens and visitors alike. For example, Coillte is the largest single landowner in the State with over 1.1 million acres, (approximately 7% of total land area of the State) which also provides an important recreation resource for over 18 million users each year. Coillte has, in recent years, had a renewed focus on developing and improving this resource with very positive outcomes.

To that end my Department has been engaged with the major State Agencies over the last year with a view to developing and agreeing a shared vision and approach to the development of outdoor recreation on State lands. Agencies such as Coillte, Bord Na Mona, Waterways Ireland, Inland Fisheries Ireland, CIE and ESB have come together with others such as Fáilte Ireland, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council to advance this process. The last meeting of the combined group was held on 15 November and a further meeting is scheduled for 20 December. Progress is being made in agreeing a common approach and future priorities for the development of appropriate projects in suitable locations.

Notwithstanding the progress to date, a public lands recreation strategy can only be progressed if there is sufficient funding to resource the development of the recreation infrastructure and to maintain it over and beyond the period of the plan. Given current constraints it is essential that the process can bring efficiencies in the delivery of additional outdoor recreation capacity.

While economic difficulties present real challenges regarding funding, innovative thinking and a well coordinated and managed recreation initiative can not only deliver a valuable recreation resource for the future but support job creation and rural development also. It is clear that outdoor recreation delivers different benefits to different sectors of society and the economy – tourism, health, rural development, sport and environment. With that in mind and given the commitment of the organisations involved, I look forward to the outcome of the current deliberations and anticipate that the various agencies and organisations will be in a position to bring forward an agreed approach and conclude a memorandum of understanding early in 2012.