Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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70. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current position regarding steps he is taking to deal with the dangerous misuse of scramblers, quad bikes and electric scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38677/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In February, the Government approved proposals which I brought forward to legislate to deal with the anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles, and also proposals to regulate the use of Personal Powered Transporters (PPTs) including escooters. This legislation will be brought forward by way of amendments at committee stage to the forthcoming Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill.

The timing of the introduction of these proposals is therefore dependent on the Bill. Drafting of the Bill itself is well-advanced in the Office of the Attorney General. However, as the Deputy will be aware, it is standard practice for the relevant Joint Oireachtas Committee (JOC) to have an opportunity to conduct pre-legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme of a Bill before publication.

The General Scheme of this Bill has been considered at three meeting of the JOC, most recently on 30 June, when I myself was invited to meet with the Committee. Following this, I hope to see the pre-legislative scrutiny process conclude quickly, at which point we will be able to move forward to finalise and publish the Bill.

As the assignment of Dáil time for the Bill cannot be determined until it is published, I cannot therefore offer the Deputy a precise schedule for the passage of the legislation. I would like to assure her, however, that it is my intention to see it passed as soon as possible.