Dublin: Taoiseach Micheál Martin has announced that legislation to ban the use of scrambler and quad bikes in public spaces across Ireland will be introduced shortly. The proposed measures will prohibit their use on public roads, parks and other public areas.
The announcement followed a high-level meeting convened by the Taoiseach and attended by Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan, Minister of State Seán Kenny, Attorney General Rossa Fanning and senior departmental officials.
Mr Martin said draft regulations are being prepared and will be brought before Cabinet within the next few weeks. He added that the government also plans to introduce tighter controls on e-scooters and e-bikes as part of a broader road safety initiative.
Fianna Fáil TD Catherine Ardagh has called for a 30-day amnesty and refund scheme to allow owners to surrender scramblers and quad bikes. Her proposal follows the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch, who was struck by a scrambler on the Ratoath Road in Finglas earlier this week. TDs have described the anti-social and dangerous use of such vehicles as a growing public safety crisis.
Deputy Ardagh also raised concerns about a lack of clarity around Garda seizure powers, including whether confiscated vehicles should be returned, retained or destroyed. She argued that this uncertainty is weakening enforcement and called for a review and amendment of the Road Traffic Act 2023 to provide clearer provisions and guidelines.
The Taoiseach did not directly address calls for an amnesty scheme but reaffirmed that the 2023 legislation will be used to ban scramblers and quad bikes from public roads in the near future. He said that any remaining issues relating to ownership or construction standards could be addressed through existing laws or further legislation if required.
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