Hillwalking and access to paths

Sir, – Keep Ireland Open is delighted at the huge increase in the popularity of hillwalking as shown by the Central Statistics Office. It points to the need to improve access to the countryside in Ireland.

Despite improvements, there are many places in Ireland where off-road access for walkers is very limited. We need legislation to guarantee and extend access for walkers all over the country, as has happened in the UK and in the EU. We also need to get away from the type of situation where, for example, a well-used path at the Upper Vartry Reservoir can be blocked without warning, as happened earlier this year. This would be good for our health, good for encouraging tourists and good for developing tourist-related jobs in Ireland. – Yours, etc,

ROBERT DOWDS,

Chairperson,