Vol. 542 No. 4
182 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a request from the Newcastle Residents Association, County Wicklow, calling for a review of the law relating to illegal encampments on private lands; his response to this request; his views in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24714/01]
I have received such a request from the Newcastle Residents Association, an acknowledgement of which issued from my office on 5 October 2001. I am aware of the problems which trespass by illegal encampments can cause and I sympathise with the communities which have been adversely affected.
In my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 846, 931 and 940 on 3 October 2001, I outlined to the House the law on trespass and the position in relation to consideration of possible changes to the law in this area. As I indicated in that reply, I am keeping this matter under review. In that context I have, therefore, referred the correspondence from the Newcastle Residents Association to the Garda authorities for a full report on the incidents referred to in the correspondence.
