Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. The problem is that it is exactly the same response we have been hearing for the past number of years. I and many other Members have raised this issue. We know it is against the law. Those vehicles are covered by road traffic legislation. I do not think it is widely known among parents who frequently buy these vehicles for their children as birthday or Christmas presents. There is obviously a need for an information and awareness programme to be run on it. There is a need for that kind of campaign to make parents aware they are breaking the law in buying these vehicles for their children.

There are two issues here. One is the use of the vehicles on public roads. As the Minister says, gardaí have been instructed not to pursue people driving these vehicles. That is absolutely understandable. It means the issue is not being policed at all. The second issue relates to public parks. There is no policing of it there because road traffic legislation does not apply there. We need a new response.

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