Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have ten minutes left. I will take two minutes and I will give two minutes each if others would like to be brought back in.

Apart from the driver test, the committee is doing pre-legislative scrutiny on the road traffic (miscellaneous provisions) Bill 2019. The Minister has indicated that he will bring forward amendments on Committee Stage to deal with the whole issue of e-scooters and e-bikes. Could I get a summary under a couple of headings? I understand that a speed of 25 km/h is being considered. The RSA has put in 20 km/h. It has not yet decided on an age limit. Will Mr. Rowland elaborate on why the RSA believe the age of 16 and over is important? It will not be classified in any way. Is there a need for a register for these types of personal powered transport vehicles, PPTs, that are coming in? What about the whole area of where they are allowed to be used?

I am amazed that more cyclists are not killed in Dublin. I often get a bus or a taxi to Heuston Station and I am amazed at what I see. While it is hugely positive to see so many cyclists, it is certainly an area that requires a duty of care from cyclists and from drivers so that nothing happens. What is Mr. Rowland's perspective on where the PPTs should be allowed? There is talk of them on cycle lanes and bus lanes and not being used on footpaths and not being allowed on national roads or motorways. Greenways will be looked at separately. Will Mr. Rowland go through those headings of speed, age limit, the need for a register and where they should be allowed to park and be used? Mr. Rowland said they should be regulated by local authorities. Should they be more properly regulated by the RSA or the NTA? The rapid growth in the number of these e-scooters and e-bikes, as mentioned by Deputy Smith, is quite amazing. It is a positive feature but there are elements to their use that cause severe worry with regard to safety. Will Mr. Rowland go through those headings?