Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 63 of 8 December 2011, the status of discussions as outlined in his previous response; the progress that has been made in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1498/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the reply to parliamentary Question No. 63 of 8 December 2011, regarding facilitating the Wicklow Way to cross private lands in or around the junction between Boranaralty and the Ballybrack Road in the Glencullen area. The development and maintenance of critical walking infrastructure is fundamental to the whole approach to facilitating access to the countryside for recreation and activity tourism purposes. The Wicklow Way is one of over 40 National Waymarked Ways that are the backbone of the walking product in Ireland.

Wicklow is one of the first counties to develop an integrated representative trail management structure, "The Wicklow Way Partnership", whose members are:

- Coillte

- Wicklow County Council

- Mountain Meitheal (A Volunteer Trail Conservation Group).

- National Parks and Wildlife Service

- The Dublin Mountains Partnership (managing the Wicklow Way in County Dublin)

- County Wicklow Partnership (managing the trail on private lands)

Its aims include developing a multiyear plan for the strategic development of the Wicklow Way by agreement and pooling of resources to bring the Wicklow Way to top international standard and recognition.

In that regard, it is accepted that, where possible, walking routes offer the user safe, secure and stimulating surroundings. To achieve that, it is important that routes are off road where possible with the agreement of the landowners concerned. However, all land in Ireland is in private or state ownership. Participants in recreation activities should be aware that there is no legal right of access to the Irish countryside. Those who enter onto private land, for the purpose of recreation, do so on the basis of the goodwill and permission of landowners.

Following consultations, the Wicklow Way Partnership have identified sections of the Wicklow Way for re-routing and upgrading; two sections in particular are regarded as high priority for rerouting.

Ballinastoe Re-Route Proposal

A route has been identified that would enable approximately 1 km of trail to be taken off a busy and dangerous road section at Ballinastoe. The new trail would go through lands managed by National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte. It would join up with a newly constructed trail at the northern end close to Lough Tay and come out at a lay-by close to the Pier Gates at the southern end of the Coillte property that includes the Coillte Mountain Bike Trail facility. Agreement has been reached on the re-routing of the Ballinastoe section following a commitment of €18,500 from my Department towards the completion of the project. Work is underway and is due for completion this spring.

Glencullen Re-Route Proposal

Currently approximately 2 km of trail are on road on the R116 at Glencullen. A possible re-route has been identified, some of which is on state lands owned by Coillte, which, as a key member of the Wicklow Way Partnership, is keen to facilitate the proposed re-route. The remainder of the proposed re-route would be on private land and while discussions are on-going, no agreement has been reached to date. However, I am hopeful of a positive outcome in due course.