Ó Cuív consults on countryside recreation
He established Comhairle na Tuaithe to address this issue and contribute to the development of a Countryside Code and a National Countryside Recreation Strategy.
Comhairle na Tuaithe is now inviting submissions from interested individuals and groups as part of the development of a National Countryside Recreation Strategy.
The strategy encompasses land, air and water-based activities.
Submissions should be received by close of business on December 7.
Mr Ó Cuiv said the objective would be to put in place an accepted and agreed vision for countryside recreation and a blueprint for action and implementation of that strategy into the future.
But IFA hill farming committee chairman Michael Comiskey said the development of a strategy for hill walking is again being put on the long finger by the minister.
“Action is now required rather than seeking further submissions,” he said, noting that Comhairle na Tuaithe was established at the beginning of 2004, but still has no plan of action to stimulate hill walking nearly two years later.
“IFA made a detailed submission to the minister a number of months ago for the establishment of a Countryside Walkways Management Scheme, which would allow the development of walks.”
Mr Comiskey said walking tourist numbers had already been reduced by 40% over the past five years and this trend must be reversed by action.
