Taoiseach Micheál Martin has signalled that regulations on the use of e-scooters could be in place by the end of the year if all sides in the Oireachtas “work collectively”.
Mr Martin made his comments in the Dáil as parents were urged not to buy the scooters, particularly for young children.
Sinn Féin Laois-Offaly TD Brian Stanley called for the legislation to be dealt with “as a matter of urgency”, because there have been so many injuries linked to the use of these devices.
Mr Stanley called on people not to buy e-scooters. “They are not toys; they are a dangerous vehicle. Some are capable of high speeds, are being driven with no lights, helmets or high-vis jackets.”
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He added that “you can see them coming and going at night out of this place, and no protective clothing whatsoever is being worn” and there has been an increasing number of complaints about them from other road users.
Mr Stanley said the legislation, the Road Traffic and Roads Bill, was in the final stages in the Seanad and regulations could deal with issues “such as age, helmets, insurance, max speeds, lights and footpaths”.
The Taoiseach acknowledged there were very serious safety issues involved with the use of e-scooters. He said amendments had been tabled in the Seanad and the issue would go to the parliamentary counsel.
He added it looked like the issue would go back to the Dáil because of the amendments tabled in the Seanad. “We will all try to work collectively to see if we can get this through the House before the end of the term.”
