Eoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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Question 181: To ask the Minister for Defence if residents are responsible for clearing snow and ice from public footpaths outside their homes; and if they are liable in the event that, upon clearing said snow and ice, an accident should occur as a result. [36758/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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While there is no legal obligation on residents to clear snow and ice from public footpaths outside their homes, the Government encourages community groups, residence associations and individuals to do so in order to help to alleviate the effects of severe weather. The legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General to the Office of Emergency Planning is that if a footpath is cleared in a safe manner, i.e. if the footpath is cleared in a manner which disposes of snow so as not to create a hazard, there is no issue of liability should an accident occur. Further advice on this issue can be found on the recently launched website www.winterready.ie.