ROGER GARLAND,
Sir, - We would like to respond to a couple of points made by John O'Dwyer in his article "Ramblers in Ireland are walking a legal tightrope" (The Irish Times, July 22nd). As we see it, there are two types of countryside which walkers like to use: lowland paths through farmland and rough upland grazing. The article concentrated on the first of these.
We agree with his evaluation that we urgently need a complete network of rights of way, as we have virtually none at present. But there are also severe access problems on open mountain land. We have documented more than 20 problem areas, mostly in the counties along the western seaboard, paradoxically the least frequented by walkers. However, nowhere is secure: a beach in Mayo enjoyed by the public for generations, the Old Head of Kinsale, an important megalithic tomb complex in Meath. . .We could go on.
We have met with indifference from the State, local authorities and Bord Fáilte. The latter's "policy" is that walkers should negotiate with landowners! The farming organisations will support their members, no matter how outrageous their conduct, even to the point of standing behind a farmer convicted of assaulting a hapless walker.
Mr O'Dwyer mentions increasing grants to allow access. Maybe, but other European states do not normally pay for access. A spokesman for the IFA said recently that the attitude of the EU was that farmers were being paid enough under CAP and that people should be entitled to walk wherever they pleased.
Make no mistake: access to the countryside is an urgent problem. We need action to facilitate the health and recreation of our own people and for the sake of a significant part of our tourism industry. Before matters reach a crisis we call on the Government to get all stakeholders round the table: farming organisations, state and local authorities and walking interest groups. Over to you, Taoiseach. - Yours, etc.,
ROGER GARLAND, Chairman, Keep Ireland Open, Butterfield Drive, Dublin 14.