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that when somebody can drive less, there is an incentive to do so. The issue I want to spend more time on is e-scooters, which were mentioned by Deputy Crowe. We need to stop pretending that e-scooters, electric bikes and scramblers are all the same thing … enforcement by gardaí. We need to have this serious discussion. We should also examine whether some form of identifiable registration should apply to e-scooters. I do not think it is acceptable that people with phones can be jumped on O'Connell Street by someone on an e

here that there is no enforcement because there is. Gardaí now use drone technology to see what is going on with scramblers and e-scooters. With regard to e-scooters, we have brought in a regulation on hi-vis vests, visibility and helmets. Next week I hope … minimum age from 16 to 18. I hope to get it signed next week. We have other proposed legislation to redefine an e-scooter to make it a mechanically propelled vehicle. We are going through how we can bring it in and how we can end up with

England net, and we still do not have a garda trained to pursue any fleeing vehicle. There is also the issue of e-scooters and scramblers being used to terrorise people on our streets. The Government brought in legislation to tackle the use of scramblers after the tragic … Government to act. It is being reactive again to a situation and not proactive. The Government also brought in regulations in relation to e-scooters to deal with the number of young people suffering from acquired brain injuries but it was another reactive response. We have been telling

theory test programme that would really look at that evidence and robustly engage with the next generation of road users, whether drivers, cyclists, e-scooter users or pedestrians. For a very small sum of annual funding - it is fully costed at about €5.5 million - 50 development officers could … between the Garda and the local authority. The Government has missed a trick in some ways. I commend the response with regard to e-scooters over the summer. The Social Democrats had a different proposal, which was to register e-scooters. People would have had to register those

delivered. They also need youth diversion programmes and support in that. It is frustrating that the issues of road safety in relation to e-scooters and scramblers in the community are as bad as ever and it is not right. It is not acceptable. The concern … still happening. We need to see more action and resourcing and, as my colleague, Deputy Farrelly, put forward, the idea of registering e-scooters seems like a sensible proposal. We need action on that and we need enforcement because every community has the right to be safe

this was one of the major issues reflected in many estates right across my community. There is serious concern about the misuse of e-scooters and scramblers. We have taken action in the context of the existing laws. The Minister of State, Deputy Canney, has signed some … Síochána, it has significantly increased its enforcement activity in this area. The Garda authorities report that there were 1,412 incidents in which e-scooters were seized in the first half of this year. That compares with 931 such incidents in the whole of 2025. The force

South-Central want more gardaí, particularly gardaí with powers to do what they need to do to ensure the laws are being upheld. E-scooters were mentioned on Monday and will be mentioned tonight as well. Gardaí need to be able to pursue people on e-scooters

powers being given to An Garda Síochána under Part 2 of the Bill be used to deal with illegally held vehicles, such as e-scooters and e-bikes. Pending the registration requirements that I hope the Minister for Transport will introduce, that will be another tool … toolbox of An Garda Síochána to take illegally held e-scooters and e-bikes off our streets. Turning to Part 3 of the Bill, one thing we have heard and which the Minister will have heard of in his constituency as well is the prevalence of vape shops

already been in court in Dublin over this. The situation needs to be fixed. I am not in favour of a ban. E-scooters are a cheap and eco-friendly way for people to get around, particularly for people getting to work. It is not a case

despite the fact that we have new laws coming in, it has emerged that 1,100 children have attended hospital on foot of e-scooter injuries in the past five years. There have been 59 serious injuries, some involving organ displacement, have been reported. This House needs

difference of opinion on that again. It is also about improving regulation of dangerous vehicle use, including scramblers and high-powered e-scooters. The Bill to date contains a range of practical reforms that will modernise transport administration and strengthen aspects of road safety policy, but we should

faster and that we would see a template of best practice operated everywhere it possibly can. We know the issues. I refer to e-scooters. An eight-year-old in Dundalk was stopped on one. There was also the tragic case of Grace Lynch and injuries to many

case? Another issue I have banged on about for years in this Chamber is that gardaí do not have the ability to pursue e-scooters, scramblers and people driving down the wrong side of the road. When I first raised this it was like playing handball against

would not normally do. We also need more work on graduated penalties for repeat non-compliant offenders and issues like managing unregulated e-scooters and e-bikes. Again, that is about catching them rather than some welcome legislation that we have coming later this year in that regard

eight months before they come into the system. We need a faster response. I look forward to the additional legislation on e-scooters. If we do not have the resources to employ more gardaí or the system cannot catch up fast enough in terms of recruitment numbers

calls at 3 a.m., deal with antisocial behaviour in our towns, deal with very dangerous situations every day of the week, see dangerous e-scooters and scramblers on footpaths and forest trails, and stand between communities and real harm. I have met many gardaí and sat with them

Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Transport the way in which the sale of e-scooters will be regulated; the penalties to wholesalers, retailers or other businesses for selling e-scooters that can travel above 20 km/h; and the penalties for individuals who modify e-scooters

Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Transport the basis on which compliance with the statutory maximum speed limit of 20 km/h for e-scooters is assessed (details supplied); whether enforcement is based on the actual speed at which an e-scooter is being operated … maximum unladen speed capability of the vehicle; the number and types of e-scooters currently available that meet the legal requirements for use on public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60762/26

reported pause in the shared mobility hubs pilot programme; whether the review applies to the wider pilot scheme rather than solely to public e-scooter elements; if so, the rationale for pausing or reviewing the broader programme where the concerns cited by Government relate specifically to public e … been given to allowing the bike-sharing, e-bike, cargo-bike and electric vehicle elements of the pilot to proceed independently of any e-scooter component; and if he will make a statement on the matter [63849/26

asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with the NTA with a view to pausing projects that involve public funding for e-scooter infrastructure, given the shift in national policy on e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59899/26

asked the Minister for Transport if he will engage with local authorities with a view to pausing projects that involve public funding for e-scooter infrastructure, given the shift in national policy on e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59912/26

Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the Government's proposal to introduce a registration system for e-scooters; whether it remains the intention that all e-scooters used in public places will be required to be registered to an identifiable owner

Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on plans to introduce registration requirements for e-scooters; to outline the work being undertaken in developing such a system; and the anticipated timeline for its introduction. [67414/26

Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport the technical and safety basis which was relied upon for treating e-scooters differently under the new regulations from electrically assisted bicycles, including heavier utility or cargo e-bikes that may provide assistance up to 25 km/h. [65483/26

Transport the scientific, engineering, collision-safety or risk-assessment evidence that was used to select 25 kg as Ireland’s maximum permissible e-scooter weight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65482/26

project (details supplied); if he will request the NTA to pause the project given the national policy change in relation to e-scooters, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59910/26

Transport the public funding allocated for each of the years from 2022 to 2025 and to date in 2026 for the provision of e-scooter infrastructure, by local authority, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter [59889/26

supplied); if he will request to pause the use of public funding on the project given the national policy change in relation to e-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59925/26

John Clendennen asked the Minister for Transport the reasons for the delay in increasing the minimum legal age for the use of an e-scooter in a public place from 16 to 18 years-of-age; and the anticipated date on which the increased age limit will

date on which the fee increase came into effect; the date on which the fee increase will also apply to E-scooters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64106/26