Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2019
79. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the engagements he has had with the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding the matter of legislating or regulating the reckless operation of scrambler and quad bikes; and when legislation will be published to deal with the matter. [22051/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Deputy Munster will be aware, Deputies Curran and Lahart have introduced a Private Members Bill entitled Road Traffic (All Terrain and Scrambler Motor-cycle) (Amendment) Bill 2019. As I stated in that debate, in 2018 a group was established under the co-ordination of the Department of Justice and Equality to examine it. Membership includes the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Housing, Planning and Local Government as well as An Garda Síochána and other stakeholders.
A great deal of consideration has been given to whether there are any deficiencies in the law. However, the laws clearly exist both to punish offenders and to detain the vehicles where necessary. The real difficulty is with intercepting these vehicles while they are being used in a dangerous way around members of the public. As I believe the Deputy will appreciate, any attempt to stop these vehicles in an area where members of the public are present could put innocent bystanders, as well as the riders of the vehicles, at risk. As the Deputy may also be aware, during the course of that debate I indicated that I would be willing to engage with Deputies Curran and Lahart and other Deputies who may have a particular interest in this issue to see if we can identify improvements that can be made to legislation.
