Madam, – Roger Garland (June 29th) infers landowners are preventing public access to many exceptionally scenic areas in Co Wicklow.

This is seriously misleading, it is disrespectful towards the vast majority of private landowners who freely allow recreational use of their land, and it does nothing to improve access to the Irish countryside.

Public enjoyment of the countryside for recreation, whether based on a legal framework or not, will always rely on co-operation between a range of stakeholders including private and public landowners, recreation groups, the public, tourism providers and community interests.

Such co-operation is evident in the work of the rural recreation officers recently employed in 12 areas of the country. With appropriate support and investment, our emerging rural recreation sector will deliver not only significant health and well-being benefits to participants, but also social and much-needed economic contributions to rural communities. Let’s work together to reap those benefits. – Yours, etc,