Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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517. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of incidents in which a scrambler, quadbike or e-scooter was seized by Gardaí under The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, by Garda district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5502/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes all operational policing matters. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.

This Government is committed to tackle anti social behaviour in our communities by ensuring that An Garda Síochána will have sufficient powers to tackle the misuse of e-scooters and scramblers.

An Garda Síochána responds to reports of anti-social behaviour and conducts operations on an ongoing basis to target the anti-social activities of people using those vehicles.

An Garda Síochána has, through various media and social media platforms, highlighted the inherent dangers associated with the use of those vehicles. In order to combat dangerous behaviour, intelligence is gathered at local level and areas are targeted as appropriate. Garda operations targeting the illegal use of those vehicles involve all members who are assigned to operational duties.

The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023, to which the Deputy referred, was signed into law in June 2023. Among its provisions, the Act aims to tackle the antisocial use of scramblers and quadbikes through measures such as granting An Garda Síochána new powers of seizure.

Garda authorities have provided the below breakdown of the number of incidents in which a scrambler, quadbike or e-scooter was seized by Gardaí under The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023.

It is hoped that this combined approach of increased Garda powers to tackle the misuse of those vehicles, together with the creation of alternative options for those who wish to use such vehicles safely and legally, will have a significant impact in tackling this problem.