Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 April 2019
99. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of legislation to tackle the ongoing issue of scrambler and quad bikes; the status of the cross-agency meeting which took place on 15 March 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16787/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to acknowledge the Deputy's continuing concern in relation to this serious public order issue.
As I have previously outlined, my Department's main focus over the past number of months has been on the consideration of legal advice received from the Office of the Attorney General, which indicated that, in the main, current road traffic and public order legislation appear to provide sufficient means to police this issue. This view is also shared by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
My Department reconvened the cross-agency group on 15 March to discuss this legal advice with members of An Garda Síochána; meeting with the Garda National Roads Policing Bureau (GNRPB), the Dublin Metropolitan Region (Tallaght District) and the Youth Diversion, Community Engagement & Public Safety Bureau.
In the absence of a need for new legislation, it is envisaged that an effective response to this anti-social behaviour will be informed by a combination of targeted enforcement measures, awareness raising, and youth engagement programmes. These measures will be progressed in conjunction with the relevant Departments and agencies.
I have already emphasised in this House that this is a complex issue. I remain committed to facilitating the cross-agency process and will provide a further update to this House when the conclusions arising from this process become available.
