Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. As I stated, under the Road Traffic Acts, there are already comprehensive measures in place for the Garda to deal with vehicles, including scramblers, quads and similar vehicles, in public places. In addition, there are also forms of legislation which allow for dealing with them outside public places and anyone supplying them to a minor can be prosecuted. Alternatives have been considered and I understand that the working group on this matter met earlier this year and is to meet again next week to review the situation. If a viable proposal that would help us to protect the public from dangerous and improper use of these vehicles were to emerge, and it fell within my remit, I would be happy to propose the necessary legislative changes. This might involve being able to adapt some powers under traffic law to be used in parks, without the major unintended consequences which come from the redefinition of a public place.

I have to add that whatever laws are used, whether they come from the transport or justice remit or other Departments, there will always be difficulty in enforcing them. The Garda must take account of public safety and chasing scramblers or quads could put the users or bystanders at risk. This is one of the greatest difficulties with these machines and there are no easy solutions. It is most likely that a comprehensive solution will involve a range of measures, including perhaps new legislation from the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport or Justice and Equality in the form of public order legislation. It will also involve enforcement and public education on the purchase and use of these vehicles.

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