Kerry IFA fully supports the further development of Kerry as a walking and cycling destination and are heartened to read “The Council recognises that these routes cannot come into existence or remain in existence without the full co-operation of the owners of private property on the routes” in Section 10.4.1.1.
The development of these greenways and cycleways to promote tourism should be done in consultation with farmers and land owners affected along the routes to ensure the continued smooth running of farms without disruption to land owners or livestock and that no risk or liability accrues to landowners or farmers along the routes. This should be done at all times without the use of CPO to secure land, which after all is recreational and not Critical infrastructure.
Where possible these greenways and cycleways should be developed along existing routes where there is no disruption necessary to landowners or farmers.
A big issue for a large number of farmers in Kerry, especially in the more mountainous regions in the West and South of the county is around dogs on hills worrying and, in some instances, maiming and killing sheep and lambs. If these areas are to remain open to walkers’ protections for these animals must be put in place. At present when people take dogs on to the hills and farmland, they often allow them to run freely.
In the Countryside Code, agreed with Comhairle na Tuaithe it is stated that no dogs are allowed on hills or farmland without the landowner’s permission. We would hope for support in the Kerry Development plan for this code, for education of all on the damage dogs on hills can cause and also much more stringent enforcement of the laws on dogs.