Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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160. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the liability that rests with a farmer if an accident is caused by livestock owned by them straying on to a public road; his plans to change the law regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/14]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Animals Act 1985 amended the law relating to liability for damage done by animals. Section 2 of the Act provides for an amendment to the former immunity in the common law of negligence in respect of animals on the highway, and, subject to certain conditions, provides for a duty on a person to take reasonable care to see that damage is not caused by an animal straying on to a public road.

The common law already provides for liability for damage caused by animals to persons and property. I have no plans to amend the law in this area.