Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I introduced legislation similar to this on several occasions over the past five years to tackle the problem of illegal use of quads and scramblers. It was opposed by this and previous Governments supported by Fianna Fáil. On each occasion the Attorney General was indicated to have opposed it so what has happened since? How many deaths and injuries could have been avoided if the legislation had been implemented?

The most consistent area of use of scramblers has been in parks and green spaces, particularly in and around housing estates. We have always argued for and given our support to measures that would strengthen Garda powers to seize scramblers and quad bikes being used illegally. I welcome such additional powers proposed in this legislation. A very successful pilot scheme was run in Finglas that led to the seizure of up to 60 scramblers. The scheme has since been discontinued and gardaí are being instructed not to pursue scramblers. The closing of this pilot scheme should be reconsidered, with proper specialist training provided for gardaí and the use of appropriately powered motorbikes.

There are significant gaps in law with regard to electric scooters. I should point that this is not about punishing electric scooter users but rather the putting in place of proper protection and rules for the safe use of these scooters. Serious consideration must be given to a number of matters when operating such vehicles. For example, there must be a requirement to wear a helmet and high-visibility clothing. There must be proper lights on the vehicle, along with proper insurance and registration of the scooter. An age requirement for the driving of an electric scooter should be imposed and there should be speed limits for the vehicle.

Under existing legislation it is illegal to use an electric scooter. As this legislation progresses, there will be opportunities on Committee Stage to scrutinise their use in more detail and we will look to making such amendments where necessary. It is important that electric scooters should not be used on footpaths as they are a potential danger to those with visual impairment or disability. These scooters are currently classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, which requires them to be insured, taxed and licensed if used in a public place. This means all such vehicles being used now in public places are being used illegally.

In both Germany and Belgium, electric scooters are licensed and insured. We may need another category of licence for these vehicles. These scooters should only be used by one person, even if two people do not exceed the permissible total weight for the scooter. There are proposals in the legislation that they should not be used in pedestrianised areas, national roads or on motorways, and these have merit. However, I question the 30 km/h maximum speed limit for the vehicles. In Germany, for example, the maximum limit is 20 km/h. I also have difficulty with the lack of provisions for compulsory safety equipment such as helmets, contradicting the advice of both the Road Safety Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland, which wants such equipment to be mandatory when operating such vehicles. It is the law in other European countries.

See this speech in context