Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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239. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe held since 6 May 2016; the number of these meetings he attended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52465/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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A meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe took place on 6th April 2016, prior to the appointment the current Government, and a further meeting was held on 30th November 2016. I was not in a position to attend the meeting on 30th November in my role as Minister for State at the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.    

Since the establishment of Comhairle na Tuaithe in 2004 and the publishing of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy in 2006, there has been a significant growth in the number of people engaging in outdoor pursuits, across a wider range of activities than heretofore, in more remote and fragile environments, and through a variety of new formats such as adventure races.  In this context, and to ensure that the countryside recreation sector can grow sustainably, it was considered appropriate for a review to be undertaken of Comhairle na Tuaithe's structures and approach.

A review process was overseen by the then Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in late 2016, and completed in early 2017.  A workshop was also held in January 2017 with Comhairle members, to discuss the recommendations of the review process and possible next steps.  I am currently considering the details of this review in the context of a wider focus on the development of rural recreation sector as part of my Department's work programme for next year.