Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

As Senator Crowe said, in the programme for Government we committed to addressing the antisocial use of scramblers and similar machines. We included a number of measures in the Bill to ensure the Garda will have the necessary powers to deal with this problem. Among other things, we are creating a power that will allow the Garda to enter the curtilage of a dwelling, but not the dwelling itself, to seize machines of the type in question that have been used illegally. The amendment proposed would delete this power and therefore I cannot agree to it.

We are not talking about an unreasonable power. I understand the point the Senator is making - it is valid - but one of the difficulties with addressing the problem of scramblers in parks and other places is that it would be dangerous to the users, gardaí and others who happen to be nearby to try to stop them when they are being used dangerously. It is therefore essential and safer to allow the Garda to seize them where they are kept. I am afraid I cannot therefore accept the amendment and I ask the Senator to withdraw it. I accept her logic but hope she understands that, in addressing this issue, trying to take a vehicle in full flight in the middle of a park, or in dangerous circumstances, requires us to consider other mechanisms.