Darren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to pick up on a point raised by Deputy Matthews. We probably will not have the opportunity to look at this again despite the fact this committee had extensive hearings on these issues and had pre-legislative scrutiny with this sector and the sharing scheme sector where we heard concerns across the board about the implementation of this move. There is a recognition this is happening and that it is to be welcomed, but there are concerns and some relate to the training and how these vehicles will be used.

There are also concerns, which we have clearly heard, about the standard and quality of the vehicles, oversight, quality control, and the maintenance of high standards. We have heard of extreme cases of fires and issues with batteries. I wish to flag those issues because I am sure they are ones that will have to be considered in advance of secondary legislation.

I wish to put on the record that there is a general appreciation of the direction of travel here but that there is the potential this might go the wrong way if inappropriately handled, if the regulations are not sound, if there is not proper oversight, and if people are not properly trained. Nobody wants to end up in that place.