Organisation information
Comhairle na Tuaithe
From Department of Rural and Community Development
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Comhairle na Tuaithe was established in February 2004 as a non-statutory body.
Comhairle na Tuaithe is made up of representatives from farming organisations, recreational users of the countryside, and state bodies with a responsibility or interest in the countryside. The Department of Rural and Community Development acts as Secretariat to Comhairle na Tuaithe.
Since the inception of Comhairle na Tuaithe, there has been significant growth in the numbers engaging in outdoor recreation. In June 2019 a new mandate was given to Comhairle na Tuaithe by the Minister for Rural and Community Development which will reinforce and strengthen its advisory role in relation to the sustainable development of the outdoor recreation sector in Ireland. Comhairle na Tuaithe has commenced the development of a new National Outdoor Recreation Strategy to provide a vision and framework for the growth of the sector. Comhairle will also identify opportunities to develop rural enterprises based on outdoor recreation activity.
Access to the countryside, which is an ongoing issue for private landowners, state landholders, recreational users and tourists alike has been progressed through the efforts of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the introduction of the The Walks Scheme in 2008.
Comhairle na Tuaithe supports the internationally recognised Leave No Trace Initiative as the countryside code in Ireland.
‘To be an effective collaborative body which supports the development of outdoor recreation activities for social, health and economic benefits, and which promotes sustainable and responsible use of the outdoors where the rights and responsibilities of both landowners and recreational users are recognised and respected.’
The role of Comhairle na Tuaithe will be to:
1. Act as a forum for consultation and collaboration between stakeholders on matters related to outdoor recreation, particularly in the open countryside.
2. Advise the Minister on matters relating the use of the countryside for recreational purposes and the impact of such activities on the landscape, the wider environment, the heritage of the countryside and on the people who live or work there.
3. Advise the Minister on issues relating to access to private lands for recreational purposes.
4. Identify and advise the Minister on opportunities to develop rural enterprises based on outdoor recreation.
5. Through its members, promote and encourage responsible use and preservation of the countryside in the context of increased outdoor recreational activity.
6. Consider the scope for the development of a new National Strategy for Outdoor Recreation, taking account of recent developments and investments across the sector.
7. Review and, if necessary, update the Countryside Code.
8. Meet as an advisory body up to four times annually.
9. Develop an annual work programme in furtherance of this mandate, and form any sub-groups which may be necessary to progress elements of the work programme.
10. Organise, at least once a year, a wider Consultation Forum on Outdoor Recreation to broaden the reach and engagement of Comhairle with stakeholders.
11. Provide an annual report to the Minister on the work of Comhairle naTuaithe, within 6 months of the end of each calendar year.
As at November 2022 the membership of Comhairle na Tuaithe includes:
