Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
252. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of persons (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing menace of scramblers which is causing much distress and anger; the actions he will take to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47888/18]
View answerI acknowledge and share the Deputy's ongoing concern in relation to the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes in local communities.
I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that the area referred to by the Deputy is within the DMR South Garda Division, and that local Garda Management is aware of the difficulties being experienced by residents. A policing operation has been put in place, specifically targeting this type of criminality, which has resulted in a number of such vehicles being seized.
The Deputy will be aware that my officials have been engaged in cross-agency consultations since earlier this year with a view to identifying legislative or other solutions, which can assist in dealing with the misuse of these vehicles comprehensively.
Following these consultations, my Department wrote to the Office of the Attorney General to seek advice as to whether any legislative amendments were necessary to assist in curbing the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes, without giving rise to any unintended negative legislative consequences. My Department received formal legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General earlier this month. The advice is comprehensive in nature and is now being carefully considered by my officials, together with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of road traffic legislation. It will also be necessary to consult again with other relevant Government Departments and public bodies via the cross-agency forum established by my Department. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to provide any further details in relation to the legal advice until such time as these consultations are concluded.
The consultations that my officials are engaged in include participation in a Taskforce established by South Dublin County Council to consider the public order implications of the misuse of these off-road vehicles at a community level. The Taskforce has met on three occasions to date, most recently on 14 November 2018. The Taskforce is a useful and important forum and, indeed, Taskforce discussions informed the Department’s correspondence with the Office of the Attorney General.
Arising from the Taskforce meetings, the road safety officers from each of the Dublin-based local authorities have agreed to organise a public awareness campaign, urging parents not to purchase scramblers and quad bikes as Christmas presents for minors. In addition, the Road Safety Authority launched a related road safety campaign on 14 November 2018.
I will continue to closely monitor the consultations that are taking place concerning the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.
