Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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492. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to bring forward legislation on improving the ability of walkers to access private land for recreational walking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40217/17]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The Occupiers Liability Act 1995 provides significant protection to landowners with regards to recreational users on their land, thereby facilitating access for recreational purposes.

In addition, an insurance policy held by the National Trails Office provides indemnity on way marked ways and walks registered with my Department's Walks Scheme, where inspection and approval has been carried out by that Office. 

Nonetheless, my Department is working closely with the State Claims Agency in relation to the development and implementation of a National Indemnity Scheme for landowners to further support the recreational use of Ireland's uplands. Discussions are ongoing and I anticipate that a scheme will be agreed in a number of pilot areas in the coming months.