Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I brought up the issue of e-scooters at the local joint policing committee meeting last week. I received a reply to a parliamentary question about the legality of the use of e-scooters. I do not have a copy with me, but I did give one to the local superintendent for distribution at the meeting in question. The reply indicated that the use of electric scooters in public places is not legal at present and that there is legislation forthcoming. I have brought this up a number of times. Deputy McAuliffe has brought it up again now. The problem remains. Perhaps we could even get them off the footpaths because pedestrians and others are being injured. These scooters do not travel at 10 km/h; some of them can do 40 km/h, 45 km/h or 50 km/h. Most can do 30 km/h no problem. If the Minister says they are illegal, can the Garda not do something? I have that reply in my office and can give it to the Garda Commissioner before the meeting is over. It indicates that e-scooters are illegal. The Garda superintendent and chief superintendent at the policing meeting seemed to concur. Why can the Garda not enforce this to at least get them off footpaths to keep pedestrians safe and to keep the users safe? Why can this not be done?