Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1359. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to implement the recommendations of the review of Comhairle na Tuaithe which was completed in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15561/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, an independent review of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the Countryside Recreation Strategy was carried out in 2016 to assess, inter alia, the current appropriateness and effectiveness of the body in an evolving outdoor recreation sector.

I met with the members of Comhairle na Tuaithe on 13th February last to hear directly from them their views on the recommendations of the independent review, the future direction of Comhairle, and the development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland generally.  The meeting was very constructive in helping me to formulate proposals for the future development of the sector.

I am currently finalising my policy proposals in the context of a wider focus on the development of the rural recreation sector and I intend to outline these proposals to Comhairle na Tuaithe in the coming weeks.

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1360. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the dates of all the meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe that were held since March 2011; the number of those attended by the relevant Minister or Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15562/18]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Table 1 below provides details of the dates of meetings of Comhairle na Tuaithe which were held since March 2011.

I can confirm that the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government attended the meeting of Comhairle on 9^thDecember 2013.

I attended the meeting of the Comhairle members on 13^thFebruary this year.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department currently provides the Chair and secretariat support for Comhairle Na Tuaithe.  A Principal Officer within my Department chairs the meetings at which the group discusses matters relating the implementation of the priorities as set out in the National Countryside Recreation Strategy, rural recreation, activity tourism and other related issues of interest as they arise. 

I expect that a further meeting of Comhairle na Tuaithe will be convened in the coming weeks.

Table 1 - Comhairle na Tuaithe Meeting Dates