Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring at Westport Show. \ Susan Finnerty
ADVERTISEMENT
A National Indemnity Scheme for farmers allowing walkers to cross their land under discussion for the past decade will focus on hill areas at first and require new legislation to be implemented, Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring has said.
This emerged after his Department's officials sought legal advice from the Attorney General's office recently, Minister Ring has told the Dáil.
"My Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as the one envisaged will require legislative provision," he said, adding that it was a "key priority". "It is envisaged that this scheme, once introduced, will come into effect in upland areas initially on a phased basis."
ADVERTISEMENT
The minister expects further contact between his officials and the Attorney General's office in the coming weeks.
2009 proposal
He was replying to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil's rural development spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív, who oversaw proposals for a National Indemnity Scheme as part of the launch of the Mountain Access Scheme in two pilot locations in Co Galway and Co Kerry in 2009 as then minister.
The scheme would indemnify landowners against claims made by walkers suffering accidents while using their lands for recreation.
Minister Ring previously said the scheme would be in place this year.
This content is available to digital subscribers and loyalty code users only. Sign in to your account, use the code or subscribe to get unlimited access.
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
CODE ACCEPTED
You have full access to the site until next Wednesday at 9pm.
CODE NOT VALID
Please try again or contact support.
A National Indemnity Scheme for farmers allowing walkers to cross their land under discussion for the past decade will focus on hill areas at first and require new legislation to be implemented, Minister for Rural and Community Development Michael Ring has said.
This emerged after his Department's officials sought legal advice from the Attorney General's office recently, Minister Ring has told the Dáil.
"My Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as the one envisaged will require legislative provision," he said, adding that it was a "key priority". "It is envisaged that this scheme, once introduced, will come into effect in upland areas initially on a phased basis."
The minister expects further contact between his officials and the Attorney General's office in the coming weeks.
2009 proposal
He was replying to a parliamentary question from Fianna Fáil's rural development spokesperson Éamon Ó Cuív, who oversaw proposals for a National Indemnity Scheme as part of the launch of the Mountain Access Scheme in two pilot locations in Co Galway and Co Kerry in 2009 as then minister.
The scheme would indemnify landowners against claims made by walkers suffering accidents while using their lands for recreation.
Minister Ring previously said the scheme would be in place this year.
If you would like to speak to a member of our team, please call us on 01-4199525.
Link sent to your email address
We have sent an email to your address. Please click on the link in this email to reset your password. If you can't find it in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you can't find the email, please call us on 01-4199525.
ENTER YOUR LOYALTY CODE:
The reader loyalty code gives you full access to the site from when you enter it until the following Wednesday at 9pm. Find your unique code on the back page of Irish Country Living every week.
SHARING OPTIONS