Road Safety
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-09
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Niall Collins (FF), Limerick County

On behalf of the Minister for Transport, I thank the Deputies for raising these important issues.
On 1 April, the Road Traffic Control of Certain Vehicles Regulations 2026, known as Grace's law in memory of Grace Lynch, were signed into law. These regulations implement an explicit ban on scrambler use in any public place and strengthen existing provisions and powers of enforcement by An Garda Síochána.
Since July 2023, off-road scramblers have been illegal for use on public roads and it has also been illegal to drive them dangerously anywhere, even on private land. An Garda Síochána has full powers to seize a scrambler being driven dangerously in any location, even where gardaí have the reasonable belief that the vehicle will be driven dangerously, and they can enter the curtilage of a dwelling to retrieve a scrambler after the fact. It has also been an offence to sell or otherwise supply a mechanically propelled vehicle, MPV, such as a scrambler, to a minor since 2004.
Regarding the question from Deputy Sherlock, the Government introduced a comprehensive suite of regulations in 2024, a list of which is available, to govern the safe use of e-scooters in public places. Key restrictions relate to an age limit of 16 years, speed restrictions of 20 km/h, the prohibition on use on a footpath and the prohibition on carrying passengers or having a seat. E-scooters which do not conform to the e-scooter regulations are illegal for use on Irish roads. The enforcement of all road traffic legislation is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
Regarding injuries caused by, or as a result of, the use of e-scooters and e-bikes, the Department of Transport does not retain specific data on these issues. Our colleagues in the Department of Health would be more suitable for a response on this issue.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-09/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-14T01:01:07+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-09