Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 January 2017
276. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the National Transport Authority will regulate battery-powered rickshaws in view of the fact that the necessary legislation to facilitate the making of regulations has been passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2251/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraDáil Éireann voted to provide for the regulation of rickshaws, by way of an amendment proposed by Deputy Imelda Munster, during its consideration of the Road Traffic Bill 2016, now the Road Traffic Act 2016. I subsequently explained to the Seanad during that House's consideration of the Dáil amendments to the Bill, that I would need to take further legal advice on the implications of the amendment, especially given that the amendment was not drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel or approved by the Office of the Attorney General.
During the debate in the Dáil on the Bill, I advised that the National Transport Authority (NTA) was working on a proposed policy and potential framework for the future regulation of rickshaws which it envisaged would be submitted to my Department by the end of this month. That remains the position.
My Department and I will urgently consider the NTA proposals when received and in the context of the legal advice received on the implications of the amendment to regulate rickshaws provided for in the Road Traffic Act 2016.
