A bill which would outlaw so-called joyriding has been published by the Labour Party. The Road Traffic (Joy Riders) Bill 2000 has been drafted as a private members' Bill by the party's spokesman on social and community affairs, Mr Tommy Broughan.
Announcing its publication in Dublin yesterday, Mr Broughan said that while the Labour Party believed the problem could only be meaningfully dealt with by investment in disadvantaged communities, legislative changes were also necessary to ensure a reduction in the activity.
"On a number of occasions in the Dail I have called on the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, to introduce legislation to outlaw joyriding. I have now produced the goods myself and I will be calling on him to make Government time available in the Dail to debate this Bill."
The Bill identifies two new driving offences - specifically the supply of a vehicle to an under-age driver for use in a public place and the organising, directing or participation in the unlawful taking of a vehicle for dangerous driving.
He said a problem had arisen in the past two to three years where "unscrupulous merchants" were selling dilapidated old cars to young people for between £20 and £40 each.
The leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ruairi Quinn, said the problem of "joyriding" did not get the serious media attention it warranted.
"Perhaps because it is more prevalent in working-class areas it is not considered newsworthy by some journalists, but this does not lessen in any way the difficulties it causes and the hardship it brings."
Mr Broughan said that in his North Dublin constituency there were as many as four or five cars being taken at any one time on certain estates.
Mr Quinn said in the South Dublin County Council area an estimated 1,000 cars were stolen last year.
Mr Broughan also outlined a seven-point plan. He called for the establishment of an "anti-joyriding" programme in all schools in disadvantaged areas, targeted particularly at pre-teens and those in their early teens; a comprehensive youth service in disadvantaged areas with high levels of early school-leaving; proper sports and recreation facilities in disadvantaged areas; mechanics and driving courses in areas affected by car theft; additional Garda resources in stations in areas which experience the problem; a regulated and ongoing scrappage scheme to dispose of old vehicles which are often offloaded cheaply to young people; and the updating of road traffic legislation to ensure there were no gaps allowing under-age drivers access to motor vehicles.
