Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government contains a promise to tackle the scourge of scramblers and quad bikes. This issue is not only anti-social but there is also a significant criminal element involved. These vehicles wreck our community, open spaces and parks. The Tánaiste will know some of the ones I will mention, which have been scourged over the last month, including Hartstown Park, Royal Canal Park in Ashtown, Ladyswell Park, Hazelbury Park, Littlepace, and Corduff park and grove. Those are just some of the areas about which people have been in contact with me about quad bikes and scramblers. Unfortunately, when these bikes come out, parents take their children in and they cannot go out to play. I also raise the deep frustration of gardaí who tell me they feel hamstrung not only by the legislation but also by Garda instructions not to challenge these people when they are out and about. The British police forces have a completely different attitude to this. I have seen actions that they have taken about this in the last months, because it has become such a significant problem. Will the Tánaiste indicate a timeline for the promised legislation to tackle this scourge in our communities?

See this speech in context