Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

We have debated this issue numerous times. I come from the point of view that there is irresponsible and responsible use of scramblers and quad bikes. We have spoken about this matter numerous times and legislation on it has had many manifestations but the central argument is that the irresponsible use of these vehicles in public spaces is not only a danger to the user but also to pedestrians and road users. We all agree on that. Whether it is a Sinn Féin Bill or whether the Government implements a Bill and changes the law is academic. That is the main point.

In the area I am from this is an issue because vehicles are being used irresponsibly. There is no doubt about that but we cannot police our way out of the problem. If we think we can police our way out of it, we will lose. I will start from the responsible side of things. I welcome the initiative of the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy James Browne, to provide a community-based response to the misuse of scramblers. That is a very good and holistic approach that engages young people.

I hate the phrase "anti-social". I try not to use it and instead to speak of a pro-social approach because if using the term "anti-social" all of the time puts a label on people. Young people in particular get labelled as being anti-social. Wealthy people engage in a lot of stuff in society that is anti-social but that term is never used to describe it. It is always used for young people, in particular, working class people.

This community approach provides better outcomes for communities, which is the most important issue, as well as for the Garda and young people. There are some great projects around the country for scramblers and quad bikes. When young people are engaged in these projects they learn about the mechanics and how to be responsible for these vehicles. They could even get a job from that. These are all positive things and I welcome the initiative of the Minister of State in that area.

When scramblers and quad bikes are used irresponsibly, as they are, particularly in parks and on roads, it is inevitable that there will be a serious accident. There have been some very bad accidents with these vehicles. If we change the law tomorrow, will the irresponsible use of these vehicles stop? It probably will not stop because, as Deputy Ward said, these vehicles are used for other purpose, including drug-dealing. They are not being used for sport but for carrying drugs from A to B and it is done in a clever way that makes it difficult for the Garda to apprehend people. We can change the law but we must also have a different approach, namely, a community-based approach that treats scramblers and quad bikes in a different way. This is a major sport in this country. The responsible use of these vehicles in a controlled and safe environment is a great hobby. If we provide for that, we will have a better approach to this issue, one that comes through the community, as opposed to a policing approach, which will not ultimately work.

I commend Sinn Féin on introducing this Bill and I wish the Minister of State luck on the community-based approach he is taking to the misuse of scramblers.

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