If you have the opportunity to speak with any of the candidates in the upcoming general election, please tell them that hillwalking and/or climbing are important to you, and ask these questions.

1. Will you commit to increased funding for National Governing Bodies of Sport? 

Look for: Greater financial support for Mountaineering Ireland to support skilled and responsible participation in hillwalking and climbing.

Mention: Outdoor recreation including hillwalking/hiking and climbing is consistently growing throughout Ireland and provides benefits including mental and physical health to a large portion of society who might otherwise be sedentary. Appropriate funding allows our NGB to support and promote this healthy, active lifestyle.

2. The climate and biodiversity crisis is affecting Ireland’s mountains, what are you / your party going to do about it? 

Look for: reference to peatland restoration, native woodland expansion and species conservation, e.g. curlew. A catchment management approach, or mention of landscape-scale restoration, would indicate understanding of the challenge in improving upland habitat condition. 

Mention: that a healthy mountain environment provides many benefits to society including flood mitigation and quality outdoor recreation experiences. Farmers have a role to play in this process.

3. What would you / your party do to improve access for responsible recreation in mountain and coastal areas? 

Look for: understanding of the importance of outdoor recreation activities to human wellbeing and the economic benefit this brings to rural areas. Recognition that in busy places recreation needs to be managed through having people on the ground to provide advice to visitors and through path repair (e.g. Croagh Patrick). 

Mention: that the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy is making a difference, but more needs to be done on access, to ensure the ongoing growth in outdoor activities works well for recreational users, tourists and landowners.

4. Will you commit to the removal of VAT from maps? 

Look for: remove VAT from maps as it discourages the publication and purchase of quality topographic mapping, which has a key role to play in supporting responsible outdoor recreation activity. 

Mention: Mapping companies such as EastWest Mapping produce detailed, user-friendly maps which help people enjoy their activities safely, and also include information on placenames and heritage features which encourages greater engagement with, and appreciation of, the places where we hike and climb.