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

I doubt many Members are unaware of the scourge of scramblers and quads in our communities. On a weekly basis, I get representations from my constituents, from Ongar right across to Tyrellstown and down to the Navan Road and the Royal Canal area. Many members of our community, including those who ride these dangerous bikes in our communities, have been seriously injured and, tragically, some have lost their lives.

The purpose of the Bill is to extend the powers of gardaí to seize and detain quad bikes and scramblers used unlawfully in public places, including public parks and green spaces. The Bill will establish an offence of driving a quad bike or scrambler in a public place and will provide for penalties or a fine and-or seizure of the vehicle and-or a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months. The Bill will finally close a loophole that has allowed those terrorising our communities to openly ride scramblers on our green spaces and parks.

I was very disappointed that the Government did not include proposed legislation for this term. This does not tally with its promise on 18 November, when the Minister stood in the Dáil and said:

The seriousness with which the Government takes this issue is reflected in the programme for Government commitment to “Enhance powers available to An Garda Síochána to limit the use of scramblers and quads by those engaged in anti-social behaviour and enact legislation to add to those powers if needed.”

If the Government was genuinely concerned about the issue of scramblers in our communities, I would not have had to move this Bill today.

See this speech in context