Madam - I congratulate Declan O'Keefe, chairman of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland, on his understanding of the public access issue (January 26th).
A walking guidebook was published which included, without my knowledge, a walk across my property. This has resulted in large numbers of hill walkers being denied access to a walk which they thought, had the consent of the landowner. There is a scenic part of my property where I am willing to consider public access provided this access is marked and without public liability exposure. Other parts must remain private.
I have found that 95 per cent of hill walkers do not want to enter private property but a vociferous 5 per cent are creating an adversarial situation. They are neither members nor beneficiaries of the tourist industry but they are using it as an excuse to annex private property.
The Irish Cattle and Sheepfarmers Association, which represents the jailed Mr McSharry, has embraced a partnership approach to resolving access problems. Other farming organisations have also advocated this approach. The MCI, which represents 8,500 hill walkers, wants a "consultative approach".
Ignore the militant minority and let the interested parties work together to resolve the issue on a local and a national basis. - Yours, etc.,
JOE WALKER, Glencree Road, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow.