Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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47. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will indicate his approach to having rental schemes for e-scooters; and the framework under which they will evolve. [11830/22]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I am committed to decarbonising the transport sector by encouraging a modal shift away from travel by private car towards sustainable alternatives. Micromobility vehicles like e-scooters have an important role to play as we transition to a cleaner and greener economy and society.

The Programme for Government has committed us to legislating for e-scooters and e-bikes and this process has been commenced through the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, which is shortly expected to move to committee stage before the Oireachtas.

The bill proposes the establishment of a new vehicle category called “powered personal transporters”, which will include micromobility vehicles like e-scooters, segways and hoverboards. Registration, taxation, and licensing will not be required for their use.

The bill will also confer powers to set out appropriate technical and safety standards and rules for the safe use of e-scooters in regulations and preparatory drafting work has already commenced. My Department has consulted with key stakeholders to inform this process, including the Road Safety Authority, the National Transport Authority, An Garda Síochána, representation from industry and accessibility advocates and local authorities.

The Road Traffic Acts do not provide for powers to establish public or private vehicle rental schemes and accordingly such matters are not addressed in the bill. The governance of such schemes would be a matter for the local authority in question.

I will shortly publish a new Sustainable Mobility Policy which will set out a strategic framework to 2030 for active travel and public transport to support Ireland's overall requirement to achieve a 51% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of this decade.  The policy will primarily focus on measures to promote and facilitate active travel and public transport for all and, in doing so, encourage less private car usage nationally to support our climate commitment.   This will include considering how best to promote the adoption of micromobility schemes and the integration of newer modes such as e-scooters with other modes.