Indemnity scheme for greater mountain access may be in place next year

Incoming Minister for Gaeltacht and Islands Sean Kyne has forecast a long-promised insurance scheme, which could open up greater access to uplands for walkers, may be rolled out next year.

Mr Kyne, whose promotion to Cabinet is subject to Dáil approval next week, has said an indemnity scheme to protect farmers in upland areas is with the Attorney General’s office.

"We hope to see the outcome of that advice shortly, it will be assessed in relation to two pilot schemes and extended nationally next year," Mr Kyne said, speaking at a Mountaineering Ireland conference in Clonbur, Co Galway.

Minster for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring signalled "significant progress on pilot projects on mountain access" on the indemnity scheme at a recent Irish Uplands Forum conference in Co Mayo.

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Mr Kyne said he had spoken to Mr Ring on the issue and understood that the scheme, which would provide insurance for farmers against potential legal claims, would be tested in several mountain access areas initially.

The two mountain access projects are being piloted on Binn Shléibhe or Mount Gable near Clonbur on the Galway-Mayo border, and the MacGillycuddy Reeks in Co Kerry.

Delays

The pilot projects involve access to a defined mountain area in voluntary agreement with farmers. Both were first proposed by advisory body Comhairle na Tuaithe in 2009, and were backed by the then Community and Rural Affairs minister Eamon Ó Cuív .

However, Mountaineering Ireland hillwalking, access and conservation officer Helen Lawless said both projects have been placed in limbo by the delay by Mr Ring's department in completing a promised arrangement to indemnify farmers.

Mr Kyne said the Government was committed to outdoor recreation, and said that there had been a doubling in funding for the walks programme to €4 million for next year.

Goodwill

Mr O Cuív, who also spoke at the Clonbur conference, said he did not know why it was taking so long to finalise indemnity, and said he did not think "anyone has a chance in hell" to take a legal suit against landowners after two recent court cases in Wicklow and Donegal.

The Occupiers' Liablity Act 1995 currently defines a landowner's responsibility towards recreational users, and its efficacy was tested by a 2016 Circuit Court decision to award €40,000 to hillwalker Teresa Wall who was injured in a fall on a boardwalk in the Wicklow Mountains.

The case was successfully appealed last year by the National Parks and Wildlife Service, but the wording of the act which could place liability on landowners in certain circumstances is still in place.

Ms Lawless acknowledges the surge in interest in walking has tested the goodwill of landowners in situations where gateways may be blocked by private cars, privacy is reduced, and sheep and cattle may be scattered by dogs. She stressed the value of co-operative approaches.

A recent study by State agriculture, food and development authority Teagasc noted farming with locally led agri-environmental schemes still offered the most sustainable and economically beneficial way of managing the State's uplands.