Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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533. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeline for the roll-out of the Bill to protect landowners from claims by hill walkers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4009/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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The introduction of a National Indemnity Scheme is a key priority for my Department to support the continued provision of access to the countryside for recreational users on a permissive access basis.

My Department has been working to develop a scheme to indemnify private land owners with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes. In this context, my officials have been in contact with the State Claims Agency and the Attorney General's Office with a view to progressing the matter.

My Department has been advised that the proposed indemnity scheme should be underpinned by legislation, and my officials are now in the process of identifying the precise legislative requirements and processes required give effect to the scheme.

This is a complex issue and the legal rights of landowners must be considered and respected, while trying to facilitate access to their lands for recreational users on a permissive basis.

However, I have asked my officials to review all the advice received to date and to prioritise the development of clear legislative proposals to have the scheme progressed and rolled out on a phased basis as soon as possible.