Members of Wicklow County Council yesterday decided listing public rights of way in the county development plan would be "premature".
A committee set up last year to investigate issues surrounding rights of way and public access routes recommended instead that the council direct its efforts towards compiling a walking strategy for Co Wicklow.
The move was however described by one of the committee members, Green Party Cllr Deirdre de Burca, as designed to prevent rights of way being included in the plan.
A proposal by Cllr de Burca that at least three "undisputed" rights of way should be listed was defeated after council chairman Andrew Doyle (FG) - who was also a member of the sub-committee - told her the use of the word "undisputed" pre-empted public consultation on the routes.
The three routes were across Bray Head, the cliff walk from Bray to Greystones and a "Mass path" from Kilquade to Kilcoole. They will now be the subject of further discussion and consultation by the council sub-committee.
Cllr Pat Vance (FF) said the committee had dealt mainly with improving public access to walks. The issue of rights of way was "for another day". He also rejected suggestions that a time limit be placed on the committee's deliberations, arguing that there was a "massive" amount of work. The council voted to adopt the recommendation that a walking strategy for Co Wicklow be compiled.