merrion street

Minister Hayes was in the wonderful surroundings of Castletown House today to welcome the inaugural meeting of the Irish branch of the Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group (VSCG). The VSCG was created in 1997 to develop a consistent approach to visitor safety management. Chaired by the State Claims Agency, the Irish members include: the Office of Public Works (OPW); Coillte; Waterways Ireland; and the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government.

Speaking at today’s launch, the Minister said, “I am delighted to welcome the Visitor Safety in the Countryside Group to Castletown House and launch the Irish branch of this organisation. Tourism is a key strand of the Government’s economic policy and this year’s Gathering Initiative has helped attract many new visitors to our beautiful forests, waterways, historic parks and houses. As such, it is essential that these visitors have safe access to our valuable assets and I’m proud that OPW’s dual principle of conserving our heritage and improving public access is a perfect match to the guiding principles of the VSCG.”