Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 17 November 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, Tourism and Sport

National Development Plan 2021-2030: Discussion

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Given that the Bill is in the Dáil at the moment and needs to be passed by the Dáil and go to the Seanad, I imagine this will clear the Seanad early in the new year. As the Senator knows, it takes time to put regulations in place, particularly when significant safety issues are involved, as we have with e-scooters. There is a delicate balance. I look forward to debating the matter with the Senator in the Seanad. There are enormous benefits from the use of e-scooters and a range of other mobility options, but there are safety issues. It is not without risks and downsides. The legislation is being framed based on the learning from other countries. We are very aware of what other cities and countries have done. Most of them are ahead of us in introducing regulations on speed, helmets and where the e-scooters can and cannot go.

If I were to summarise it, it is more akin to cycling, and as we build new cycling infrastructure, that is the right place to put e-scooters - not on the pavement but on the cycle lane. Like cycling, I believe it will not have mandatory helmets. We will need to have speed restrictions because that is the biggest risk factor. This is not without its own complications and safety issues, including the one the Senator mentioned. My recollection of the regulations is that I think we are precluding people from being carried; I will need to go back and check it. That is something that would raise concerns. We will look at the details of the legislation when it comes to the Seanad.

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