Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am very concerned about the very serious public safety and anti-social issues associated with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. Tackling these issues, as the Deputy said, requires a multi-agency approach. To better facilitate this, I have written to the relevant parties, including the Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, as well as the Garda Commissioner and the Chairman of the Revenue Commissioners, in order to ascertain whether there are additional legislative or other solutions which could assist us in dealing with this issue in a more comprehensive way. More recently, I have also written to the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, given that the National Parks and Wildlife Service falls within its remit. Responses have now been received from the majority of bodies. As a next step, when all responses have been received, I intend to convene a meeting of all interested parties in order to identify more effective possible solutions and assign responsibility and timeframes for them.

The Deputy is already aware that, under the road traffic Acts, any member of An Garda Síochána is empowered to stop a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place and demand production of a driver licence or learner permit. In addition, gardaí may inspect a vehicle for compliance with vehicle standards legislation which makes it an offence to drive without reasonable consideration or to drive carelessly or dangerously. The Garda authorities also have powers of seizure, detention, storage and disposal of vehicles under road traffic legislation. I am further informed that the use of quad bikes and scramblers in public parks and open spaces is strictly prohibited by the local authorities under the parks and open spaces by-laws of 2011.

Despite the road traffic and other relevant legislation available in this area, the Garda authorities have indicated that there are issues of safety involved in the enforcement of these laws which are best addressed through a multi-agency approach. I am informed that gardaí are working with local authorities, including park authorities, to examine other solutions, including engineering solutions. Enhanced fencing and bike gates are examples of engineering measures which may be taken in order to restrict access to parks. However, we must do this in a way that will ensure our parks, particularly those in Dublin, can be used for the recreational purposes for which they have been designed.

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