Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This wide-ranging legislation is welcome. Numerous constituents have contacted me regarding e-scooters and e-bikes and, therefore, the legislation concerning them is welcome, in addition to the newly installed traffic management system for the M50. That is very important. I understand there will be investment in improving our public transport system, which is very good news.

I was very heartened this week by the great news that a long-awaited bus service for Carlow town has been given the green light, with services expected to begin in the second half of next year. This is wonderful news for Carlow because the overwhelming need for this service has been known about for some time. I have made consistent efforts, including representations to the NTA and the Minister, to get this project up and running. It has always been a top priority and has never been more important, especially since the major announcement a few weeks ago regarding the technological university for the south east. As the Minister will be aware, we have two excellent third-level colleges in Carlow and, therefore, this bus service is timely. I ask him to ensure the service is in place no later than the middle of next year.

This Bill is also part of the Government's efforts to introduce and encourage alternative models for mobility, especially for people who mobility issues. That is very important for anyone who has a disability or needs access. We see it in my town of Carlow where there is a great railway station, but it has no wheelchair accessibility. This is one part of all the issues we need to look at. This Bill aims to reduce our reliance our cars, which is very important because we all need to do our bit on climate action. I recently received several phone calls from people in my area about the traffic in Carlow town being backed up, especially during school times and when people are going to work. We need to examine that issue because more public transport is needed for rural towns. Dublin and our other cities are important but smaller areas, such as mine, which is a rural town in Carlow-Kilkenny, do not have enough public transport. I ask the Minister to look at that as part of the programme as we go forward.

I also very much welcome the provisions, which are being strengthened by this Bill, dealing with the dangerous antisocial use of off-road scramblers, quad bikes and other similar vehicles, and the amendment to strengthen laws on insurance and road traffic enforcement.

These are all things that we need to make sure happen. These measures will help to improve road safety while also helping us to drive down the cost of insurance for law-abiding drivers. We must consider the safety of all our road users as a priority.

I have some concerns relating to those living with disabilities. Tonight, I will be in the Chamber to speak on the motion regarding the report entitled Aligning Disability Funding with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Budget 2022 Pre-Budget Submission. I will talk about policy change to support those with disabilities to live their best lives. We cannot then proceed with legislation that might allow e-scooters to be permitted on footpaths. The Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021 must prohibit the use of e-scooters on footpaths and include such uses as an offence. It is important those who are visually impaired can hear these vehicles. We need to look at the acoustic vehicle alert system, AVAS, on all e-scooters so that they can be heard approaching. This is essential for the safety of pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired. I recently had several phone calls. We have our joint policing committee meeting every few months, like all local authorities, and I am delighted to be part of that. I brought this up at the meeting after having had phone calls from the people of Carlow, where these scooters are on the roads. I have sometimes seen two people on one scooter. The evenings are getting dark and you might find yourself suddenly almost on top of them. I got several phone calls about scooters on footpaths. I cannot highlight enough that in smaller rural towns, our footpaths are small. We have to be careful with this for people with a disability, in wheelchairs, with buggies and older people who are out walking. We cannot allow this type of thing to happen. It would work against us in the long term. The legislation currently allows for a maximum speed limit of 20 km/h but this is far too fast for other road users and should be reduced to 12 km/h in line with other European Union countries. I ask the Minister to continue to do that.

The issue of schools has been raised. Parents have contacted me about speed zones at schools. I ask the Minister to look at reducing speed limits near schools to 6 km/h. I have brought this up on several occasions. When a lot of traffic congregates, even if only for 20 or 30 minutes, we need to look at something like this. These are all important health and safety issues.

EU Regulation 540/2014 mandates all manufacturers to equip their new electric vehicles with AVAS by 1 July 2021 but it does not attach this requirement to e-scooters. I agree with the National Council for the Blind of Ireland that this is our chance to lead others. I know many Deputies have addressed this. Many of us have welcomed this. It is good that we are legislating and we have to progress, so this will happen. I see some good things and people in my area use e-scooters. If we do not find a balance regarding footpaths and speed, and how this is dealt with and policed, whether through the Garda or other agencies, that will be an issue. I ask the Minister to address my concerns. I look forward to hearing from him.

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