Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome aspects of the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021. I have spoken a number of times in this House about the need for tougher rules on the use of scrambler and quad bikes. I am glad we finally have some movement on this issue. It is long overdue. While the majority of users are responsible and use these vehicles on private property, a significant minority have made themselves a serious nuisance. I urge all local authorities to consider the initiative in Moyross, Limerick, where the council provided dedicated tracks for teens to use off-road vehicles safely. This approach has been used with horses and ponies in the past, with great success. Not all children enjoy physical sports and we must ensure there is a good mix of facilities for all. Many of these teens have a genuine interest in mechanics, which can be nurtured for positive purposes.

Some rules around the use of e-scooters and e-bikes on Irish roads are also long overdue. These vehicles are very useful for commuter transport but we need clarity for users and An Garda alike. I acknowledge the Minister of State has spoken about this. However, I would not like to see these users become a cash cow for extra insurance and taxation revenue. E-scooters and e-bikes are contributing to our action on climate and must be encouraged and supported as much as possible.

One matter I would like clarified is that it appears to be an offence to supply an e-scooter to a child under 16 years of age, but not for the child to use it. Perhaps the Minister of State will clarify if it is intended that it will be an offence for children to use an e-scooter and if it will be an offence for a parent, or other relative or friend, to gift an e-scooter to a child under 16. The 2004 Act defines supply as supply by way of sale, hire, loan, gift or other means of making the vehicle available to a person. I ask that these two issues are clarified.

I would like to see local authorities given the power to regulate e-scooters that are made available for public hire, having been to Brussels where several companies hire out e-scooters via an app and e-scooters are available all over the city. I would like to see councils licensing a limited number of operators, similar to how our bin collection is supposed to operate since it was privatised. This licence agreement could ensure that standards are met and there are consequences for operators who do not comply with the rules. We cannot just have a free-for-all.

The legislation also includes provisions for variable speed limits on the M50 in Dublin. I ask the Minister of State to ensure sufficient notice is given for the introduction of these measures and they are suitably advertised in regional publications, in particular, to educate those rural dwellers who rarely use the M50. The M50 is the busiest road in the country and the system of digital signals displaying changeable speed limits, allowing operators to reduce speed on a section of the motorway, is very welcome.

The completion of the motor insurance database will assist in stopping uninsured drivers. It will also help to bring down the cost of insurance for law-abiding drivers because the Government is not making much headway in this regard. I would very much appreciate it if the Minister would come back to me on the questions I asked.

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