Taoiseach ‘leaning towards’ full ban on e-scooters
By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association
The Taoiseach has said he is “leaning towards” a full ban on e-scooters.
Micheál Martin was pressed about the Government’s approach to tackling the “scourge” of e-scooter and scrambler bike misuse during Leaders’ Questions on Tuesday.
Mary Lou McDonald said “gangs on high-speed e-scooters and scramblers” are “bringing havoc and real danger to our neighbourhoods”.
The parents of Grace Lynch were in the Dáil’s public gallery during the debate.
The law prohibiting the public use of scrambler bikes was named after their 16-year-old daughter who died in a crash involving one in January.
They are also due to appear before the Oireachtas Justice Committee on Tuesday.
The Sinn Féin leader said the law, which was enacted in April, was “supposed to mark a real turning point for us”.
“Months on”, she said, “and we actually see the plague of all of this getting worse, not better, but getting worse”.
She said Grace’s parents have said that “unless the law is enforced, then it essentially means nothing”.
She added Grace’s father Martin has said “his blood boils” when he sees scrambler bikes and e-scooters “moving at high speed with no consequences for people on them”.
Responding, Martin said: “It is now about enforcement, and it’s also about ensuring that Gardaí are protected as they enforce this law and this regulation.”
The Transport and Justice Ministers are working together to bring in legislation to ensure that happens, he said.
The Garda Commissioner and Minister for Justice are also “continuing to examine any further actions they can do to clamp down on the illegal use of scramblers, and indeed, of e-scooters”.
The Minister for Health has sought a “full and comprehensive” report from Children’s Health Ireland on the injuries children have sustained as a result of e-scooter accidents, he continued.
In addition, the Transport Minister is looking at “all options” to deal with e-scooters including “a full ban, if necessary”.
It is now about enforcement, and it's also about ensuring that Gardaí are protected as they enforce this law and this regulation
“There are options open to the House in terms of regulation or a full ban,” Martin said, which he was “leaning towards myself”.
McDonald also quoted the Garda Representative Association (GRA) as having said “not one” Garda “has the training in respect of pursuit of people on these vehicles”, adding “the policy itself of non-pursuit, it’s hugely problematic, hugely problematic”.
Martin said “vehicles are being pursued on an ongoing basis”, but that “there have been cases, unfortunately, taken against Gardaí, and that’s why the ministers are bringing in additional legislation to protect Gardaí while in pursuit”.
