Mountaineering Ireland, represented by Karl Boyle, Ruairí O Conchúir and Helen Lawless, met with the Rural Recreation Section of the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs yesterday, Thursday 24 June. The objective of the meeting was to bring renewed attention to to the role of Comhairle na Tuaithe and the implementation of the National Countryside Recreation Strategy. The meeting also looked at the role of MI in helping to inform and support the work of the Rural Recreation Officers employed in 12 areas of the country.

MI has a positive relationship with the Rural Recreation Section and will continue to support initiatives such as the Walks Scheme and the pilot Mountain Access project in particular.

MI also met with Deirdre Kennedy, Sligo's Rural Recreation Officer and Michael Mulligan, Sligo Mountaineering Club. This meeting highlighted the good work being done by Deirdre and how the involvement of a local club can help a RRO's work.