Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 255: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine if he will undertake to introduce legislation to allow greater flexibility to local authorities in having publicly accessed footpaths which are in private ownership, for instance outside older neighbourhood shops, to be properly maintained and regulated. [17844/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Road authorities only have a statutory role in relation to the maintenance of public roads. The scope of their remit does not extend to areas of private property, such as those referred to by the Deputy, which are situated in front of a shop premises. The maintenance and use of private property is a matter for the owners or occupiers of the property. Any liability arising from the condition of that property is a matter under civil law for the private parties. I do not propose to extend the application of the Roads Acts or of the Road Traffic Acts to areas of private property.