Taoiseach ‘leaning towards’ full ban on e-scooters

The Taoiseach has said he is “leaning towards” a full ban on e-scooters.

Micheál Martin said that various parts of the Government were examining legislation to help the enforcement of existing regulations on scramblers, research into injuries caused to children by e-scooters, and the possibility of a full ban on e-scooters.

Mr Martin was pressed about the Government’s approach to tackling the “scourge” of e-scooters and scrambler bikes on Tuesday by Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, who said “gangs” on e-scooters and scramblers are “bringing havoc and real danger to our neighbourhoods”.

He made the comments as the mother of a 16-year-old girl killed in a crash involving a scrambler bike urged parents not to buy scramblers or e-scooters for their children.

Siobhán Lynch, whose 16-year-old daughter Grace died after a crash in Finglas in January, said to parents who were considering buying their children the vehicles: “You’re setting your child up on a suicide mission.

“If you wouldn’t hand your child a gun, if you wouldn’t hand your child something that you know would kill them, why would you hand them that?

“You’ve seen my child die. You’ve seen people out there with severe injuries from them.”

She added: “If we can ban cigarettes from pubs and (public) places and people didn’t like that… it’s the same with these.”

Mrs Lynch also called for a ban on e-scooters on public roads, fines for parents who buy e-scooters for their children, and for lengthier sentences for those convicted of death by dangerous driving.

In the UK in 2022 the maximum sentences for the crime was raised from 14 years to life imprisonment, she said.

“Over here, they want to increase it from 10 years to 14 years.”

She and her husband Martin appeared before the justice committee on Tuesday, alongside Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly to discuss scramblers and e-scooters.

The law prohibiting the public use of scrambler bikes, which was enacted in April, was named after their daughter Grace.

“The use of petrol and electric scramblers, e-scooters, and e-bikes have been scourge to this country for years, and the problem is getting worse due to the lack of regulations implemented by the Government,” Grace’s parents said.

Martin Lynch said the Government needs to “protect the people it represents by ridding these vehicles from our streets”.

“The sale, advertising, and control of these vehicles needs to be made a priority,” he said.

“The Gardaí need to be trained and supplied with up-to-date equipment and vehicles to combat the widespread use of illegal vehicles on the roads, parks, and pathways.”

“Far too many Garda members are being prosecuted for dangerous driving while trying to stop these people who are actually dangerously and recklessly driving.”

Earlier, Ms McDonald said Grace’s Law was supposed to mark “a real turning point”, but months later, “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, Mr 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”.

“There are options open to the House in terms of regulation or a full ban,” Mr Martin said, which he was “leaning towards myself”.

Ms 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”.

Mr 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”.