Tánaiste Simon Harris has said Ireland needs to take a "tougher approach" to the issue of trespassing on people’s land, which he said is of particular concern for farmers and rural communities.

The Tánaiste, speaking in the Dáil on Thursday (January 22), said that "everyone has the right to feel safe on their land and in their homes".

He added that the government is prepared to "engage constructively" with an opposition call for stronger legislation in this area.

Independent TD for Offaly Carol Nolan has urged the government to "significantly beef up the existing law of trespass".

Speaking to the Tánaiste on Thursday, she said that "far too often, the farmer is made to feel like they are the ones with the handcuffs on them, not the person who trespasses and causes intimidation and damage".

Safety of farm families

Simon Harris also raised the case of farmer Pat Dunne, who was attacked on his land in the Tánaiste’s constituency of Wicklow in 2023. 

The case generated national attention and put a particular focus on the safety of farm families in rural communities.

Minister Harris spoke about the investment that has gone into the likes of the Walks’ Scheme, which sees landowners and farmers receive small payments for opening up their land for families, walkers, hikers and tourists alike. 

He said this scheme, among others, has had a positive effect – but that it is clear the issue of trespassing is of considerable concern.

“As a country and as a government, through our local authorities and our state agencies we are investing an awful lot, quite rightly, in authorised walkways, whether they are greenways or cycleways," the Tánaiste told the Dáil.

"There has been huge investment and there needs to be more to make sure people can enjoy our countryside.

"We must work co-operatively, as we do, in partnership with farmers. The experience right around the country is that this works quite well."

He added that "as a country, we need to take a tougher approach on trespassing".

"We are not talking about somebody who accidentally does this," he said.

"We are talking about the examples we have seen in parts of the country where the actions of people, on quads or anything else, are causing concern, fear and, on occasion, intimidation for people in rural Ireland, farmers and their families.”

The Tánaiste said he intends to raise the matter directly with the Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan.

He also thanked Deputy Carol Nolan for her work on this area.

Bill

Last September, she introduced her Criminal Justice (Trespass on Land) Bill 2025 private members bill.

The Offaly TD said that this bill is aimed at addressing the offence of trespassing on farm and agricultural land.

It seeks to introduce a "greater level of legal clarity for farmers and landowners, by significantly expanding the scope of the physical area that would be captured within the law of trespass".