Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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33. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide data on the number of seizures, arrests and prosecutions related to the illegal use of electric bikes and mopeds over the past 12 months; and if he will outline whether Operation Meacan or similar initiatives are active in the Dublin metropolitan region north; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36634/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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Gardaí have significant legislative powers to combat antisocial and dangerous use of mopeds and electric motorbikes including under the Road Traffic Act 1961, the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, and the Criminal Law Act 1997.

In June 2023, the Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 was signed into law. The Act included provisions that aim to tackle the anti-social use of mopeds and electric bikes through measures such as granting An Garda Síochána new powers of seizure.

Road traffic legislation is enforced as part of the day-to-day duties of members of An Garda Síochána, as well as through a programme of high-visibility road safety and enforcement operations carried out in partnership with other state agencies, in order to make our roads safer for all.

I can assure the Deputy that Gardaí in the DMR North Division respond to reports of anti-social behaviour and conduct operations on a continuous basis, targeting people engaged in anti-social activities using stolen mopeds and electric motorbikes in public places. These initiatives are supported by campaigns across various media and social media platforms to highlight the dangers connected with the use of these vehicles.

In dealing with this dangerous behaviour, An Garda Síochána gathers intelligence at a local level and targets these areas. Such operations focus on the illegal use of mopeds and electric bikes and involve all Gardaí a assigned to operational duties.

Operation Meacan is a proactive response, targeting the use of electric vehicles that are being used for criminal activity across the Dublin Metropolitan Region, including the DMR North Division.

As part of Operation Meacan, from June 2024 to May 2025 there have been;

• 7 Days of Action conducted
• 112 searches conducted
• 22 Arrests made
• 24 Prosecutions taken
• 142 Electric Powered Bikes seized
• 102 Mopeds seized.