Bill to safeguard walkers’ rights will defy Ó Cuiv

A PRIVATE Member’s Bill to legislatively enshrine hill walkers’ rights is to beintroduced in the Dáil, in defiance of Eamon Ó Cuiv, Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

According to Keep Ireland Open (KIO), an umbrella body for groups advocating right of access to the countryside, the Bill is likely to come before the current Dáil session and would give legal weight to what ramblers see as their ancient right to roam.

The Bill would fly in the face of the Minister’s decision not to bring in similar legislation when earlier this year he set up Comhairle na Tuaithe (The Countryside Council) with a remit to provide better access to the land for walking.