Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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54. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if e-scooter legislation will be progressed before Christmas 2020. [42495/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I intend to bring forward the relevant provisions to amend primary legislation in relation to e-sccoters and other Powered Personal Transport devices (PPTs) when the Oireachtas is considering the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill early in the coming Oireachtas session, in accordance with the Programme for Government.  Minister Troy will, I know, share the Government's immediate priority ensuring that we are equipped with any necessary legislation, primary or secondary, to deal with Brexit and its consequences, as well as to deal with the ongoing COVID emergency.  While I hoped to bring the Bill to Government before the end of this year for approval to publish, these pressing challenges must take priority.

The task of adapting our extensive body of road traffic legislation to accommodate PPTs involves identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic Law or Road Safety in general. My officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation. Subject to satisfactory resolution of the necessary issues, I intend to bring forward amendments to the relevant enabling primary legislation when the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is before the Oireachtas.

Experience overseas has shown that a change of regime may have consequences for road safety, the management of roads and footpaths, the movement of traffic, public transport and goods, public health and the environment. These are all factors which must be taken into consideration when legislating.

Until new legislation is in place, the use of electric scooters will remain illegal on public roads and in public places. However, they may be used on private land with the permission of the landowner.