Walks may be closed by farmers
IFA Western Committee chairman Con Hickey said it followed the disclosure by Minister Éamon Ó Cuiv that his department will not be paying any money to farmers for the public right to walk on these walkways.
Up to 300 farmers had participated under the REPS 1 public access supplementary measure, but the incentive was withdrawn by the EU Commission for the REPS II scheme.
Mr Hickey said the IFA had put forward proposals as to how an alternative could be put in place. But Mr Ó Cuiv unfortunately, couldn’t run a scheme, which would have significant benefits to farmers and the wider rural economy.
Mr Hickey urged the minister to consider a scheme, which will make payments to farmers who are prepared to allow access to walkers.
If a scheme is not put in place, the walks created under REPS 1 will be closed.
Mr Hickey said patience had been exhausted and walks were now likely to close.
* Minister Joe Walsh yesterday announced the appointment of former Dairygold chief executive Denis Lucey as the new chairman of the Milk Quota Appeals Tribunal.
Mr Lucey succeeds Reddy Brennan, who is retiring from the post, which he had held since the inception of the Tribunal in 1989.
