ROGER GARLAND,
Sir, - Joss Lynam (August 22nd) refers to the setting up of the Wicklow Uplands Council by Keep Ireland Open and goes on to say that "KIO has not developed this initiative further". This is unfortunately all too true.
However, we can assure Joss Lynam and your readers that it is not for the want of trying. Over a number of years KIO have tried to meet the IFA both regionally and nationally, but with exception of Wicklow we have met with the attitude: "What we have we hold". The IFA line is that: "access to the land is a matter for individual farmers and it is not negotiable at regional or national level".
A similar attitude has been adopted by the ICMSA.
We note that the Mountaineering Council of Ireland is arranging a conference in Sligo in November to try to set up an uplands council for the region. We wish them well but we are not holding our breath!
Our experience over the past eight years has led us to conclude that the only way forward is for the highest level of Government to confront this ever growing problem. - Yours, etc.,
ROGER GARLAND,
Chairman, Keep Ireland Open,
Butterfield Drive,
Dublin 14.