Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 July 2018
233. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the next meeting of interested bodies and parties scheduled to deal with the issue of problem quad and scrambler use will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31766/18]
View answer292. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 189 of 1 May 2018 and his response to the Topical Issue of 24 May 2018, the status of the work of the cross-agency group on the issue; the outcome of this engagement; the steps that will be taken as a result of the meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32398/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 292 together.
I have emphasised on a number of occasions that the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes is taken very seriously by the Government and I thank the Deputy for her continued interest in this important issue.
The Deputy is already aware of the meetings convened by my officials on the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes on 23 and 25 April 2018. I asked my officials to arrange these consultations to identify whether there are additional legislative or other solutions which can assist in dealing with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes more comprehensively.
My officials are now consulting further with local authorities in the context of the many examples of positive engagement fostered by local authorities with local communities, as a number of initiatives and projects are of potential interest insofar as the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes are concerned.
On 21 June 2018, my Department participated in the first meeting of a newly established task force consisting of representatives of the Dublin local authorities, Gardaí working in these local authority areas, and professional motocross sports. An invitation was also extended to local authorities from Meath and Wicklow to join this taskforce. At the taskforce meeting, the consensus was that a multi-pronged approach to tackling this issue is necessary, to include a consideration of enforcement measures, education and awareness-raising, relevant legislation, and the potential provision of designated facilities, where such vehicles could be used in a safe environment.
Following on from this meeting, officials in my Department are currently reviewing appropriate criminal justice legislation to ensure that Gardaí have the necessary powers at their disposal to deal with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes. In this regard, the Department continues to engage with An Garda Síochána in order to fully understand the difficulties encountered in dealing with this type of anti-social behaviour, and to learn from successes in this area.
My officials will continue to engage with the taskforce, the next meeting of which is expected to take place in September.
I will continue to actively support any positive actions that can be pursued to counteract the serious public safety issues associated with the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.
