Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The issue of personal liability arose in the past three or four taskforce meetings I attended. A number of initiatives are under way in that regard. I understand the Department of Justice and Law Reform has introduced legislation to clarify the situation with regard to some personnel. As a general principle my understanding is that if people carry out whatever duties they undertake with due care and attention and in a professional manner their position is copper-fastened.

Issues have arisen in terms of intervention by individual householders in clearing ice on the footpath outside their premises or in the case of voluntary organisations being called in to support agencies to deal with an emergency. I do not refer to the Reserve Defence Force or the Civil Defence in this instance, rather a local sporting organisation. Issues arise in that regard. I have sought clarification from the Attorney General on how best we might address that. Regardless of legislative change I have no doubt but the principle of responsibility in the event of one doing something inappropriate would be likely to apply.

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