Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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607. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made on the mountain access programme to provide insurance indemnity to landowners that provide access for hillwalkers; the interim measures being considered in view of the delays with progressing the issue of legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working for some time to develop a scheme to indemnify private land owners, particularly in upland areas, with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes.  This is a complex issue and the legal rights of landowners must be respected, while trying to facilitate access to their lands for recreational users on a permissive basis. 

My Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as the one envisaged will require legislative provision.  In this context, my officials met with the Attorney General's Office to explore the various options open to the Department and to identify the precise legislation which would require to be introduced to implement such a scheme.  It appears that a number of separate pieces of legislation could require amendment.

In light of the complexity involved, I am also considering other options that might be available to address the matter as an interim measure.  My officials have been making enquiries into alternative options and will continue to work to find a solution that meets the concerns of landowners who provide access to their lands for recreational purposes.

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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608. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if consideration has been given to the preparation of an economic appraisal on the benefits of hillwalkers in certain areas to strengthen the case for the mountain access programme in view of the high level of tourists this activity brings here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Comhairle Na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) was established in February 2004 as a non-statutory body with a primary focus on the priority areas of access to the countryside, developing a countryside code, and developing a countryside recreation strategy. 

Under a Comhairle na Tuaithe initiative, in 2011, a Mountain Access Scheme to facilitate access to the uplands for hill walking and similar activities was developed in two pilot areas; one at Mount Gable in Connemara and the other in the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry.

Comhairle na Tuaithe went on to establish a Mountain Access Project Steering Group in 2014, which was tasked with reviewing progress in respect of the Mountain Access Pilots, developing signage for Mountain Access Pilot areas, and issues around a National Indemnity Scheme. Since then, tendering has taken place for the design of a mountain access logo, and mountain access signage and information panels for the two pilot areas, which are now in place.

On 6th June last, I announced the appointment of Dr. Liam Twomey as the new Chair of Comhairle na Tuaithe and presented a new mandate to the Council which will reinforce and strengthen its advisory role in relation to the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland, which includes hill walking.  

Comhairle will act as a forum for consultation and collaboration between stakeholders and advise on matters relating the use of the countryside for recreational purposes. I have also asked Comhairle to identify opportunities to develop rural enterprises based on outdoor recreation activity, and to consider the scope for the development of a new National Strategy for Outdoor Recreation, taking account of recent developments and investments across the sector.

In light of the enhanced role and work programme of Comhairle, I do not have any plans at present to commission a separate economic appraisal of the nature referred to by the Deputy.  However, available data indicates that in 2014, 1.5 million overseas visitors engaged in hiking, cycling and angling during their visit, and spent €900 million while in Ireland.  It is clear from these, and other statistics available from State Agencies, that countryside outdoor recreation infrastructure and services make an important contribution to the national, regional and local economies.