The
health benefits of walking are increasingly recognised and availability of adequate and appropriately
located access to the countryside is seen as important economically from the tourism perspective. These
realities have been grasped by administrations in countries in GB as well as in the Republic of Ireland
with positive actions reflected in visionary strategies backed up by legislation and investment to optimise
opportunities for access to the wider countryside and coast. Council has considered the position in
Northern Ireland and drawn up a Position Statement.
