Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
384. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport the status of the proposed legislation commonly referred to as “Grace’s Law” to prohibit the use of scramblers and similar off-road vehicles in public places; the expected date of publication of the Bill; the proposed commencement timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12119/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra385. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether his Department has examined policy options to restrict the retail sale or supply of non-type-approved scrambler bikes for use by minors; whether any such proposals are under consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12120/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Transport whether, in light of the number of pedestrians and cyclists seriously injured in collisions involving scrambler bikes, his Department has assessed the wider public safety implications beyond road users; and the measures being developed to address these risks. [12121/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 384, 385 and 386 together.
As the Deputy is aware, I intend to introduce regulations as a matter of urgency to further prohibit the use of scramblers and strengthen the existing enforcement powers that An Garda Síochána has in relation to the dangerous use of scramblers and powers of seizure.
These regulations will help bring additional legal clarity to the existing position that scramblers are banned for use on the road in almost all cases. It is my intention that the regulations will close any cases where scrambler use may previously have been legal outside of appropriate off-road settings by implementing a total ban on all scrambler use in any public place and will:
• Explicitly prohibit the use of vehicles such as scramblers in any place where their use is non-appropriate and the public might be present.
• Make the mere use of a vehicle such as a scrambler in these locations an offence, building on the current position where a member of An Garda Síochána has to form a reasonable belief about dangerous use before it can be seized.
My Department is working with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel with a view to making these regulations within a matter of weeks. I also propose to impose greater financial penalties on seized vehicles to reduce the number that re-enter circulation.
Finally, in relation to the Deputy’s question on restrictions on the sale or supply of non-type approved scrambler bikes for use by minors, section 30 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 prohibits the supply of mechanically propelled vehicles, such as scramblers, to persons under the age of 16. Under this section, ‘supply’ includes sale, gifting or otherwise making the vehicle available to a person.
