Noel Rock
Ceist:428. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has received the Road Safety Authority report on electric scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20458/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 May 2019
Ceisteanna (428, 429)
Noel Rock
Ceist:429. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide the report he recently commissioned from the Road Safety Authority on electric scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20459/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 428 and 429 together.
I have requested the Road Safety Authority to research how escooters and other such vehicles are regulated in other countries, particularly other Member States. I am keen to understand the road safety implications of the use of such vehicles on public roads, especially when interacting with other vehicles. I cannot say if the outcome of the research will be presented in report format.
I will make a decision on whether or not to amend existing legislation when I have received and considered the outcome of the Authority’s research, and not before then. I will need to be satisfied that permitting such vehicles on our roads will not give rise to safety concerns, whether for the users of such machines or for other road users including cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.
As I said I have asked the RSA to research this matter. The results may not be in form of a formal report designed for publication. However, I have no objection to sharing the contents of the research in due course, and no objection to asking the RSA to publish it if it is in a publishable form.