Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising what is a very important issue. Although regulations were introduced in 2024 to allow for the legal use of e-scooters on Irish roads, I believe they need to be kept under constant review because there are clear dangers and vulnerabilities in regard to their use. Those regulations extended the rules of the road already in place for pedal cycles to include e-scooters, provide for technical standards and conditions for safe use and set a minimum age of 16 and a speed limit of 20 km/h. Also An Garda Síochána can issue a fixed-charge notice of €50 to e-scooter users. As the Deputy knows, the 2023 Act which he referenced deals with dangerous driving and antisocial use of scramblers and quad bikes via three key measures. Dangerous driving has become an offence everywhere. Gardaí have powers of seizure. Under section 11(b) of that Act there is a new power to provide in regulations for the prohibition or restriction of the uses of classes of vehicles in particular places. These regulations are currently being prepared by the Department of Transport. I will follow that up with the Minister and alert him to the Deputy's interest in this.

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