Rights work in both directions - Land usage and farmers’ right

One of the areas where what are assumed to be traditional property rights and what might be loosely be described as the common good and society’s right to protect its environment are most often in conflict is land usage and recreational access to that land.

Landowners rightly expect to be able to make a living from their asset — if it is independently viable — and control access to their property.

Others, the urban-based majority — more than half of the population of Ireland now live in Leinster — expect to be allowed controlled, responsible access to parts of our countryside. They also expect that our laws be strong enough to protect important habitats and species and that these laws are enforced. They also expect, in the small number of cases where they are unfortunately still necessary, that effective sanctions be imposed.