North Atlantic Skyline - - Photographs from the west of Ireland (Galway, Mayo, Clare, Limerick, Roscommon and even Leitrim)

Rights of passage

Mountaineer and writer Josh Lynam has called on the IFA not to close off access to rural walks. Farmers who own land on officially marked trails are indemnified against insurance claims, (and there are plenty of fraudsters and ambulance-chasing lawyers about the place) but not other routes. The government had planned to pay farmers for access using the REPS scheme (i.e. from the European Union's money pot) but the EU rules against it.

It's time for the government to bite the bullet on this one. One of the most useful acts would be to indemnify farmers against any claims by walkers, but for some reason, the legal profession seems to be lukewarm on this idea. This would be particularly helpful for farmers who happen to have old buildings on their land. Most of them put up "Beware of the Bull" or "No Trespassing" signs to discourage visitors. According to the Irish Times (April 19th, 2003 Weekender), the vast majority of listed national sites and monuments are on private property - out of 120,000 sites, only 700 are in the care of the State.

Another useful idea would be to provide tax relief for farmers who provide facilities to encourage walkers (i.e. building stiles, not setting dogs on them, etc.). It does not seem likely. Duchas, the heritage service, was abolished this week. As a means of saving money, it is completely useless. As a means of preserving our heritage, it makes no sense whatsoever.