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An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 July 2021

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Questions (563)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

563. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of quad bikes, all-terrain vehicles, scramblers and similar types of vehicles seized by gardaí in each Garda division in 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37614/21]

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Written answers

I can inform the Deputy that the Government is strongly committed to tackling the issue of misuse of scramblers and similar vehicles.  My Department's Justice Plan 2021 commits to developing community-based responses in cooperation with stakeholders that provide positive alternatives for young people interested in scramblers and quad bikes. These will be supported by the network of Garda Youth Diversion Projects, local authorities and other agencies as appropriate. 

As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague the Minister for Transport, who has responsibility for road traffic legislation, is bringing forward legislative proposals to increase Garda powers in this area, including in relation to the seizure of vehicles.

I am advised by An Garda Síochána that a search of the PULSE database was conducted on 9 July 2021 to identify all vehicles of type “scrambler” or “quad” seized by Gardaí nationwide in association with incidents of any type during the period from 1 January 2020 to 8 July 2021. I am further advised that due to the low figures for these seizures, it is only possible to give a breakdown by Garda region, rather than Garda Division.

The count of unique vehicles seized within each Garda Region across the entire period is as follows: 

Region

Total

Dublin Region

37

Eastern Region

32

North Western Region

13

Southern Region 

18

TOTAL

100

Note: These figures were collated based on PULSE data as of 9 July 2021. They are operational and may be liable to change

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