Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for that timely warning. I greatly welcome the announcement relating to motorised rickshaws and the new licensing scheme and Garda vetting which is to be rolled out for all other rickshaws because they are a danger.Some Members will have experienced it strolling around the streets of Dublin at night. I had a bad experience six months or more ago and I had correspondence about it with the Minister, Deputy Ross, and the Attorney General, Mr. Woulfe. These people race about without hindrance on pedestrian streets and footpaths without regard to the pedestrians strolling around leisurely in the evening, perhaps taking a break. It is only anecdotal but I believe one can be supplied with drugs if one needs them from some of these people. Allegedly, they are engaged in criminality as well. It is very important that the gardaí are involved in vetting these people and that they are licensed. I would restrict it more. It is only the motorised vehicles the Minister is proposing to ban. I would have gone further. I welcome it. It is a move very much in the right direction. It should be done in the interests of safety. On streets, pedestrianised streets or pathways, they race past pedestrians without regard for them. It is very bad in our capital city. I welcome the proposal and I hope it will lead to a good improvement.