COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 09, 2012

QUESTION NO. 12

QUESTION: Councillor J. Lahart

To ask the Manager to update the Council on the Manager's response to my motion of 2011 requiring the Council to give detailed consideration to the passing of by-laws requiring residents to maintain the areas outside of their homes free of snow and ice during adverse weather conditions?

REPLY:

In October 2011, at the beginning of winter conditions, the Council issued on the SDCC website, Guidance Notes for the public in relation to coping with various aspects of the severe cold weather and a hard copy was delivered to all residents and business within the County. Links were also included to the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government's Severe Weather Emergency web pages http://www.environ.ie/en/LocalGovernment/FireandEmergencyServices/EmergencyPlanning/SevereColdWeather/, the Road Safety Authority and the Health & Safety Authority who all issued guidance on the severe cold weather.

As discussed at the Council Meeting of April 2011, the Manager undertook to examine the possibility of introducing bye-laws pertaining to residents being responsible for the clearing of snow and ice from their driveways and footpaths in front of their houses.  It was agreed that this was a complex issue and that there were many aspects to the introduction and enforcement of such bye-laws.  A consultation process with the Council's Law Agent has been initiated and a further report will issue.