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Road Safety

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 July 2020

Tuesday, 28 July 2020

Ceisteanna (765)

John Lahart

Ceist:

765. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the work of the high-level committee established to examine the anti-social use of scramblers and quad bikes; the outcome of these talks; and the outcome of the work of the former Lord Mayor's commission on the subject. [18181/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can assure the Deputy that my Department, alongside An Garda Síochána and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is acutely aware of the severe difficulties and dangers the misuse of quadbikes, scramblers and similar vehicles can cause in the communities it impacts.

Targeted enforcement measures have been introduced in a number of areas where quad bikes and scramblers were causing difficulties.  For example, Gardaí in areas such as Finglas have had success in reducing the number of issues with scramblers through targeted enforcement, while youth community engagement groups in Limerick have had successes diverting young people away from using these vehicles in a dangerous manner in public places, and towards properly organised motocross events.

A cross-agency group was established to examine this issue. The group initially included the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, as well as An Garda Síochána, the Road Safety Authority, the Revenue Commissioners and representatives of local authorities.  It was subsequently agreed to meet in subgroup format involving the primary stakeholders, namely Department of Justice and Equality, Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, An Garda Síochána, and the Office of the Attorney General. 

The subgroup most recently met in December 2019.  At that meeting, the group agreed that the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, which has primary responsibility for road traffic legislation, would explore the feasibility of developing new legislative provisions in road traffic legislation, which would seek to deliver the benefits sought by An Garda Síochána without unintended consequences for existing law. It was also agreed that An Garda Síochána would explore further targeted enforcement measures, while the Department of Justice and Equality would consider and develop actions in order to increase awareness of the dangers of these vehicles jointly with affected communities, community groups and other stakeholders, and explore how best to engage with young persons who are drawn to this behaviour.  The Department is currently examining options in this area, with due regard to social distancing requirements.

On foot of advice from the Office of the Attorney General, it was previously agreed that, in the main, current legislative provisions appeared to be sufficient. Nonetheless, it was also agreed that the group would remain open to considering workable legislative solutions to any specific legislative gaps identified by An Garda Síochána. It was in this context that further discussion took place at the meeting in December.

The Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport has primary responsibility for road traffic legislation and for bringing forward any new legislative provisions which would seek to deliver the commitments on quad bikes and scramblers contained in the new Programme for Government - Our Shared Future.

The Lord Mayor's Commission on anti-social behaviour was an initiative of the then Lord Mayor of Dublin and it reported in 2012. It made a very valuable contribution to thinking on ways to address anti-social behaviour. Many of the themes which it raised are also featured in the draft Youth Justice Strategy published by my Department which has recently been the subject of a public consultation process. Issues such as the need for early intervention and family support, coupled with collaborative working by agencies and community partners, highlighted by the Lord Mayor's Commission, are central to the approach contained in the Youth Justice Strategy. I intend to bring the finalised Strategy to Government later this year for approval.

More broadly, the Deputy will be aware of the commitment in the Programme for Government to convene an expert forum on anti-social behaviour and this will provide a key focus for further development of policy in this area.

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