Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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515. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated first and full year cost to introduce an insurance indemnity for farmers and landholders that participate in the mountain access scheme; and when legislation is expected to be published. [17265/19]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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My Department has been working to develop a National Indemnity Scheme to indemnify private land owners with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and the legal rights of landowners must be respected, while trying to facilitate access to their lands for recreational users on a permissive basis.  My Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as the one envisaged will require legislative provision.

My officials have been in contact with the State Claims Agency and the Attorney General's Office on the proposed scope, roll-out, and the legal processes required to give effect to such a scheme.  It is envisaged that this scheme, once introduced, will come into effect in upland areas on a phased basis. 

My Department is currently examining different cost options related to the introduction of the scheme and it would be premature to speculate on the potential costs at this stage.