Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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163. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the current position regarding legislation to address the scourge of scramblers in communities, which is listed as priority legislation for publication and drafting in the Autumn Legislative Programme; the reason for the delay in producing this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51749/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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We committed in the Programme for Government to addressing the problem of anti-social use of scramblers and other similar vehicles, by legislation if necessary.

I am happy to be able to say that the Road Traffic and Roads Bill 2021, which was published on 19 October 2021, includes provisions to deal with this problem.  New powers will allow for regulations to ban particular types of vehicle from particular places, and the Garda will be empowered to seize the vehicles either on the spot or at the place where they are kept.  In addition, the offence of dangerous driving will be amended so that it will apply everywhere, and not just in a public place.

These proposals have been developed in consultation with the Attorney General, and will provide a robust basis for combatting a menace which has gone unresolved for too long.