Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 January 2021
36. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport if future legislation regulating e-scooters will include a legal requirement to have suitable lighting appropriate to the speeds at which they travel. [3107/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, electric scooters are a type of powered personal transporter (PPT). PPTs are classed as mechanically propelled vehicles, the use of which requires a valid licence, tax and appropriate insurance in accordance with Section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961. As PPTs do not fall under any existing vehicle category, it is not currently possible to tax and insure them and there is no separate licence category for them. Therefore they may not be used on public roads and in public places. However, their use is permitted on private land with the permission of the landowner.
My intention is to legislate for the use of e-scooters in accordance with the Programme for Government. This involves identifying and developing appropriate amendments to primary legislation across a range of complex areas. The work must be carried out in such a way that it does not undermine the overall framework of Road Traffic Law or Road Safety in general. At all times road safety is the primary concern and suitable lighting on vehicles is a requirement for all vehicle users on our roads.
My officials are currently working on drafting the necessary changes to primary legislation. I intend to bring forward amendments to the relevant enabling primary legislation when the Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill is before the Oireachtas.
