Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am very disappointed that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil intend to oppose the Bill, the aim of which is to tackle the absolute scourge that is the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. I am sure constituents have raised this issue on the doorstep with Deputies of all parties. It is totally unfair that residents are being kept up until all hours of the night as these vehicles tear through their estates. It is totally unfair, when local football and GAA teams show up to play matches on a Saturday and Sunday morning, that they often find that their pitches have been torn up by scramblers. It is also totally unfair that parents are afraid to let their children play in local green spaces because of the dangers posed by scramblers. I have seen young teenagers drive down the wrong side of the road on one wheel. It is extremely dangerous and just not on. People in my local area of Darndale have been seriously injured when these vehicles have been used in local parks and green spaces. Some 62 people were injured by scramblers last year.

I have heard people say this legislation is unnecessary on the basis that the Garda already has the powers to deal with the issue. However, it does not have such powers in some cases because the use of these vehicles in local authority parks which are subject to local by-laws is a grey area. In some cases, the vehicles are being used on waste ground or in green spaces that are privately owned. I acknowledge that a number of scrambler and quad bike groups operate in a reasonable manner. I am talking, however, about the misuse of vehicles on roads and footpaths and in public spaces. We have heard conflicting reports from gardaí and Ministers on the powers of An Garda Síochána to combat the issue. A clear direction has to be issued on the matter. I understand it is incredibly difficult for the Garda to intervene or pursue people without making the situation even more dangerous. That being the case, the focus needs to be on seizing these vehicles. I drive a car.

I have tax, insurance and a licence. I wear a seat belt and drive in a safe manner. The people driving these bikes are not insured, taxed or wearing helmets, yet nothing seems to be done about them. To top it all off, they are a nuisance to neighbours in their estates.

Parents who buy such vehicles for children who are under 16 years of age are breaking the law. They need to have a bit of cop-on and realise that not only are they putting their own children at risk, they are also endangering the lives of others. I acknowledge the Minister of State's mention of a working group that is examining this matter, but when will we see effective enforcement? This situation is growing worse. I plead with the Government to get a grip on it.

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