Ms Moyagh Murdock:

As part of our process of research and awareness of what is happening in other jurisdictions, we have noticed advertisements from the suppliers of these devices promoting their use and saying that they are legal and sanctioned by the Garda and the RSA. I warn people, especially in the run-up to Christmas, that it is a case of buyer beware because there have been significant recalls of the devices that were on sale. There is nothing to stop someone legally selling a device but buyers should realise that these devices are not CE regulated and there is no standard safety directive to say that they have been approved from a mechanical perspective. We have analysed the types of failures, faults and, as Ms Heffernan alluded to, 20% of the injuries resulted from defective devices. Even by their design, and these devices have a long stalk of a handlebar and a short wheelbase, they are prone to natural forces and torts and thus will break easily. The brakes are not of a recognised standard plus the makers do not specify any kind of conspicuity of lighting. All of that is a warning to buyers. I do not know if there are any warranties on the devices. They just give up the ghost shortly after being bought. I urge buyers to be wary of them.