John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the date of the last meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20474/13]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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57. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the latest date on which he attended a meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe or the national co-ordinating committee of RAPID; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20475/13]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 57 together.

Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) continuously supports and oversees the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy and its associated schemes, programmes and activities, including the Walks Scheme. The last meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe was held in Dublin on 27 February, 2013. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 15 May 2013.

On average Comhairle na Tuaithe meets 4 to 5 times a year. All of these meetings have been chaired by my Department, and I have not to date attended a meeting. I am satisfied with level of progress being achieved and the number of initiatives, such as the Pilot Mountain Access Scheme and the proposed National Indemnity Scheme being progressed on its behalf.

With regard to RAPID, the National Monitoring Committee for the RAPID programme met on 6 October 2010. My Department last met with RAPID Chairs and Coordinators at a conference in February 2012 as part of an extensive consultation process in the context of the development of local government reform proposals.  As part of my continuing engagement with both the local development and local government sectors, I have met with many of the Chairs and Coordinators at different times and in various fora.  No meeting of the National Monitoring Committee is scheduled at present.  However in implementing local government reform decisions, my Department will continue to consult as necessary with the relevant stakeholders, including local authorities, Local Development Companies, RAPID Area Implementation Teams and others.